James A. Doran

Born as the eldest of 3 children to Otis and Myrtle Doran, of Chismville, Arkansas, on July 31, 1919, Jay’s parents made the decision in the late 1920’s to move to California where jobs were more plentiful and other family members had come ahead to settle in the Ventura / Santa Paula area where Jay ultimately lived for the rest of his life. His first job, at age 8, was delivering newspapers throughout all of the downtown area of Ventura and with his gift of gab led to several life-long friends and another job as a young teen “setting pins” at the local bowling alley, which in his later life led to him becoming an avid and accomplished bowler.

With the onset of WWII, Jay joined the army (along with his father, brother, uncles and cousins) in February 1944. While on a mission in Germany, on December 13, 1944, he was wounded in action which later resulted in him being awarded a Purple Heart. With the war over in 1945, Jay returned home where he took a job at Point Mugu Naval Base, but as his skill and success in bowling progressed, owners of the Wagon Wheel Bowl encouraged him to take on several jobs there. Although he took charge of overseeing the cocktail lounge’s operation, he ultimately ended up working as a bartender there as well for 40 years, finally retiring in his late 70’s.

Jay loved life, people and most of all his two daughters, Darlene (mother Willyne) and Kathy (mother Carmen) and three step-sons, (mother Beverly) per his three marriages. Through the years things that gave him the greatest joy were traveling within the United States and Canada, listening to Country Western music of the 1930’s and 1940’s, making several trips to the “Grand Old Opry” in Nashville, dancing to Jimmy Dorsey’s music at Ventura’s Green Mill Ballroom, attending “L.A. Rams” games, being a die-hard “L.A. Dodger” fan and member of the Ventura Elks Club #1430 for 65 years.

Jay is survived by his daughters, Darlene (Dr. Charles Hood) and Kathy Peters; step-sons, Jeffrey(Beth), James and Jack(Carla) Shuffield; brother, Thomas “Tommy” Doran; niece, Linda Faria; grandsons, Dennis(Diana) and Dale(Tracy) Bartos and Jeremy Willis(Michelle); granddaughter, Carla(Jack) Shuffield; great-grandsons, Jay, Clayton, Zachary, Dalton and Drew; great-granddaughters, Lyndi(Tim), Kristin(John) & Kimberly; and great-great-grandchildren, Ryan and Paige.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Frank Faria and wives, Willyne, Carmen and Beverly.

Jay had such a zest for life that despite blindness and a diminished capacity to walk, both occurring in his 80’s, at age 94, he was able to live independently until the last 3 months of his life. For those who knew him well, the highlight of a day was being able tell the stories of his life.

Services will be on Saturday, March 22, 2014, 9:00am, at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, with The Reverend Dan Hull officiating. Burial will take place at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, with a luncheon to follow at the Elk’s Lodge, 2126 Knoll Drive, in Ventura, at noon.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.