Dakota Joshua James

In Loving Memory of Our Son

Dakota Joshua James 7/14/2000 – 9/2/2026

It is with unimaginable heartbreak that we announce the passing of our beloved son, Dakota, who was taken from us far too soon at just 26 years old. He was, quite simply, bigger than life.

He had a heart that seemed to have no limits. He loved deeply, laughed loudly, lived boldly, and never met a stranger. Once you were his friend, you were family. He was wild, adventurous, stubborn, funny, fiercely loyal, and completely unforgettable.

He loved the outdoors, fishing, adventures, and most of all, making memories with the people he loved. He had a way of turning an ordinary day into a story that would be remembered forever. He could be the wildest person in the room, yet somehow also the calm in the storm—the person you could call, the person who would show up, and the person who would make everything feel a little more okay. Above all, he was a devoted father to his beautiful daughter, Tenslee Jo, who was one of the greatest loves of his life. She will grow up knowing how deeply her dad loved her, and his family will make sure she knows his stories, his laughter, his adventurous spirit, and the enormous heart he carried.

He leaves behind a family and countless friends who loved him beyond measure: His daughter, Tenslee Jo of Casper; his mother, Kristl James of Casper; his father, Josh (Keely) James of Douglas; his brothers, Bo James of Casper, Hayden (Alexis) Nelson of Casper, Conner (Jean) Nelson of Casper, and Robert (Vicky) Lanier of Casper; love of his life, Megan of Casper; his grandparents, David James of Casper, Robin and Brad Anson of Blackfoot, Idaho, and Ron and Judy McGowen of Midwest, Wyoming; and his nieces, Shevelle and Bentlee of Casper, Aunt (cousin) Denise of Riverton. He also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and far too many friends to count, many of whom were not simply friends, but family in every way that mattered.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Janet Richards.

His time here was nowhere near long enough. At 26, he had so much more life to live, so much more love to give, and so many more adventures waiting for him. His absence has left a hole in our family and in the hearts of everyone who loved him that can never truly be filled.

But we will carry him with us.

We will find him in the water while fishing, in the laughter of his friends, in family gatherings, in every adventure, and most especially in the beautiful face and heart of his daughter.

We will keep saying his name. We will keep telling his stories. We will keep loving him.

He was our son. He was a father. Tenslee Jo's dad. A brother. A grandson. A nephew. A best friend. A wild soul with the biggest heart.

He was perfectly himself.

He was ours.

And he will forever be loved beyond measure and never, ever forgotten. Until we meet again, our beautiful boy. Go find your next adventure. We’ll see you there.

Visitation is scheduled from noon - 1 pm on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 710 East 2nd Street, Casper, WY 82601, with the funeral immediately following. 

In lieu of flowers, donations by check can be given to Newcomer Funeral Home in Tenslee Jo Gladson's name to be forwarded to the family, or by using the QR code below. 

To share a memory of Dakota or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.