Maurice D. James March 2, 1940 - April 5, 2018

Maurice D. (Morey) James, 78, of Allentown, died quietly on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital, a part of Muhlenberg Hospital.  He had suffered from a myriad of health problems for more than a year, with trips to several of the Lehigh Valley’s excellent care facilities, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes.

Morey was born on March 2, 1940 at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and grew up in Edwardsville, PA, the only child of Maurice and Hannah (Jones) James.  He attended Kingston High School, where he met his future wife Gale, and together they studied at Wilkes University, with accounting as his chosen field and his sense of humor as his legacy.  After graduation and marriage in 1961, the couple moved to Pittsburgh, where Morey was employed by the public accounting firm of Peat, Marwick and Mitchell.  After some years in Pittsburgh and Charleston, WV, he was transferred to the Bethlehem office and the couple settled in Allentown with their two children, the late M. David James and Lisa M. (James) Thomas.

Morey became involved with the Kiwanis Club of Allentown, and was encouraged by family members to become a Mason and then a Shiner.  His love of gardening was evident at home and also when he left his CPA position to purchase Ashley’s Greenhouses and Florist, which he and Gale operated for a number of years.  Then it was back to pushing the pencil for Gilbert Associates, a nuclear engineering firm outside Reading, PA.  He spent nearly 25 years as treasurer of that group, throughout name changes, acquisitions and sales within the holding company, and loved nearly every minute of it until his retirement.

He was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Allentown, where he served as treasurer of church council, adding as much optimism and levity as he did financial expertise.  Much of his spare time was spent in the backyard, gardening with Gale, tending to the pond and bird feeders, and enjoying the garden trains.  A series of family dogs, his grandchildren, and the company of many wonderful friends rounded out his life.   Morey is remembered for his devotion to family and friends, his sharp sense of style, and his irrepressible wit.

He is loved and missed by his wife, Gale (Hughes) James; daughter Lisa (James) and husband C. Jeffrey Thomas; and grandchildren Maurice D. James III, John H. Thomas, Katherine C. Thomas, and Emily R. Thomas.  A memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 822 North 19th St, Allentown, PA 18104.  A light luncheon will follow, with an open microphone for sharing humorous Morey stories.  A brief calling time from 12:00 to 12:30 is available for those unable to stay for the luncheon.   Stephens Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and the private burial.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church.