Ronald Raymond James (June 11, 1928 – January 5, 2025) was an American politician and businessman.
[2][3][4] He retired from office in 1971 after one term and was succeeded by then-San Jose Vice Mayor Norm Mineta.
[3] James had been told that the time capsule would remain buried for about 100 years, so he assumed he wouldn't live to see it reopened.
[3] The time capsule was opened in September 2013 and James's letter was reprinted in its entirety in the San Jose Mercury News.
James remarked at the ceremony, "They told me it was going to be opened in 100 years or longer...I was pleasantly surprised that the Mercury News printed the letter verbatim so people could read it.