James Michael Donaghy

James Michael “Jim” Donaghy, 68, of Fishers, Indiana, died Tuesday, May 14, 2024, after a two-year struggle with lung cancer. He passed peacefully in his home alongside his three children.

Born on March 8, 1956, in Miami, Florida, Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Aloysius Donaghy; his mother, Darleen Janice Atchley; and his identical twin, Patrick Kevin Donaghy. His daughter, Emily Hope (Luke) Carter, passed away on July 8, 2024. Jim is survived by his children, Mattie Rae Donaghy and Nolan James Donaghy; his grandsons, Jonathyn Jay and Cato Lee; his sisters, Melyssa Hubbard and Melinda (Dennis) Bolen; his nephew, Zach (Kattie) Bolen; his niece, Marcy Kellar; and his extended family and friends.

Jim Donaghy graduated from Kokomo High School in 1973. An accomplished percussionist, he taught drum lessons at a downtown record store and played local gigs with the band Hampton Rhodes before touring and releasing an album with the band Tracer in the late ‘70s. Jim’s enterprising spirit eventually led him to train as a union electrician, joining the IBEW Local 873 (Kokomo) in 1985. After establishing a successful career as a master electrician, he worked as a project manager, estimator, safety director and more for employers Moorehead Electric, Huston Electric and AECOM Hunt.

Known for his ever-present attention to detail, Jim was diverse in his hobbies, which included hunting, coin and gun collecting, fishing, boating, snorkeling, skiing and drumming with his many musician friends. A lifelong musician, he played with the band Tilt-A-Wurl in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. In the mid-2000s he played with the band 5 Day Trip. For six years in the early 2000s, Jim hosted musicians at his downtown music space, the Panic Room. He was an avid discoverer of new music that he often promised friends would “blow your mind.” Jim dearly loved animals, particularly his late cat, Pogo. He fished and boated often at nearby Geist Reservoir.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the animal shelter IndyHumane at https://indyhumane.org/honor-memorial-donation-form/.

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