James Byron Donkle

James (Jim) Byron Donkle, MD, passed away peacefully in his home in Milwaukie, Oregon surrounded by his loving wife Ellen and his daughters, Peggy and Ann. Most people will remember him as "Doctor Donkle," a man with a huge heart full of love, generosity, and joy.

Jim was born to Milton Donkle and Jean Fish Donkle in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he grew up with his sister, Judy. He attended the University of Wisconsin where he studied medicine and joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity. There, he met and married the love of his life, Ellen, in 1958. He continued his studies through the University of Wisconsin Medical School to earn his Doctor of Medicine Degree in 1957. A Badger through and through, Jim carried his love for Wisconsin and the university throughout his life.

Upon completion of medical school, he and Ellen moved west. In 1959, he was honored as resident of the year at his internship at Portland Providence Hospital. He worked as a physician at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, where his journey in practicing medicine began. There, he solidified his commitment to be a doctor who would treat his patients like family.

In 1963, Jim and Ellen moved their two daughters to Milwaukie, Oregon, where they would make their home and become pivotal members of the community. The young couple welcomed their third daughter and began establishing many traditions with their newly found “extended” family. Jim loved his daughters and held them in high esteem. As a father, Jim shared his adventurous spirit, independence, and loyalty with his girls.

In his tenure as a physician, Jim co-founded Milwaukie Family Practice (now Northwest Primary Care). President of Clackamas County Medical Society. He was a member of the Oregon Medical Society Board of Trustees. He served as the president of the medical staff of Dwyer Memorial Hospital (now Providence Milwaukie Hospital). In 1988, Jim became an original member of the Providence Milwaukie Foundation. During this time, he advocated for and personally supported investment in services that would provide care for the most vulnerable populations.

In addition to serving his community as a medical professional, Jim spent over 50 years involved in the Rotary International Club of Milwaukie. During this time, he served as a Rotary Youth Exchange Officer, supporting a successful international youth student exchange program.

Jim’s passion and joy for life extended into all that he did. He was an adventurer at heart; he and Ellen loved to travel the world and explore together. Jim was happiest outdoors, whether that was skiing, scuba diving, fishing, rafting, camping, or gardening. There was never a dull moment at the Donkle house. In retirement, he kept busy with many projects on their beloved family home, and garden. He was an avid sports fan and could always be heard cheering for his favorite teams. He loved celebrating his three grandchildren in all of their successes and supporting them in their own adventures. Jim valued family above all else, and his legacy of love, joy, and generosity will live on in them. As Jim said, he lived “a wonderful life.”

Jim is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Ellen Donkle; daughters, Peggy Thompson, and Ann Parker; his grandchildren, Allison Miller, Brandon Parker, and Austin Thompson; and his great-grandchildren, Emilia Miller, and Ethan Miller. Jim is preceded in death by his sister, Judy Masat and his daughter, Janet Kruse.

A Visitation will be 5-7pm, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Stehn Family Chapels in Milwaukie, OR. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be 10:00am, Funeral Mass 10:30am, Thursday, December 7, 2023, at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church in Portland, OR.