James Alva DeLee Sr. was born August 7, 1933 in Port Arthur to the late A.A. quotGusquot DeLee and Nell James.A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at St. James Catholic Church in Port Arthur with Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory as Celebrant and Rev. J.C. Coon homilist, with interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches under the ion of Melancon39s Funeral Home in Nederland. A gathering of the family and friends will be from 5 to 8 PM Tuesday with a Christian Vigil to be held at 7 PM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue in Nederland.James was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. In 1955 he completed his Civil Engineering Degree from Texas AM, also Married Gladyne Deanie Boultinghouse and had five children, James Alva DeLee, Jr. of San Diego, California Teri Wilson and her husband Dave of Port Neches Debbie Nicholson and her husband Greig of Groves Richard DeLee of Port Arthur and Becca Oberg and her husband Kevin of Port Arthur. Also surviving are his seven grandchildren, Amy and Kelsey DeLee, Ashley DeLege William, Jade Matejka, Matthew Papania, Brett Nicholson, and Beau DeLee his sisters Sharon Loeb of New Orleans, Louisiana, Kathy McNair of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Jacque Craft of Lansing, Michigan and brothers Jesse DeLee of Boerne, Texas and Mike DeLee of Port Arthur, Texas.James served two years active duty in the Army Corps of Engineers before returning home to work in the local refineries in Port Arthur. Jim was a Licensed Surveyor and Registered Engineer in Texas and Louisiana. He was the last selftaught Lawyer in the State of Texas and was Board Certified in Criminal and Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He was the first recipient of the Frank Scurlock Pro Bono Award presented by the Jefferson County Bar Association and also received the Jefferson County 39Sir Thomas Moore Award39 for Outstanding Catholic Attorney in 2009. James joined the Texas National Guard moving through the ranks to retire as Colonel and Commander of the 36th Airborne Brigade. James served his community as President of the Salvation Army of South County, past President of Port Arthur Founders Lions Club, served five years as chairman of Catholic Charities and was an original board member of Garth House. James was a member of the Nederland Knights of Columbus where he served two years as Grand Knight, four years as District Deputy and also Faithful Navigator with the Fourth Degree. Converted to Catholicism in 1980, he joined St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland where he faithfully served in choir, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Parish Council and A.C.T.S. Retreat. James was called for the diaconate and was ordained in February 2006 as a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church assigned to St. James parish in Port Arthur. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. James Catholic Church in Port Arthur or to the Catholic Clerical Student Fund Sponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women: 2529 Grand Blvd., Port Neches, TX 77651.
Condolences
Laura Morehead Dahlman
August 25, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for all of you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for youLaura
Janet Whitton Daugherty
August 10, 2011
Dear Deanie and family,I send my love to you during this very difficult time. As you know very well, Jim was a very special person and loved by so many As I read the different entries in this guestbook, I was sweetly reminded of his kind nature, his laughter and his good heart What a gentle man we all have enjoyed I regret I was not able to be near you, but I now live in San Antonio. It was such a wonderful privilege of mine to work with Jim and to get to know all of you You all hold a special place in my heart I pray for strength, peace and comfort for you always God be with you I love you all
Carl R. Fischer Sr
August 10, 2011
I knew Jim DeLee for many years, over which time I was always treated with respect.
Traci Craft Dunk
August 10, 2011
May your memories of Uncle James embrace you with peace, love, and comfort. My reflections of Uncle James will always be of someone who lived life 100 to the fullest, touching many, many lives, and leaving an incredible legacy for his family. You all are in my thoughts and will stay in my prayers.
Eve Bourque
August 9, 2011
Deanie, I am the daughter of Eve Bourque. She asked me to send you her love and sympathy. You and Jim are so dear to her. She is unable to attend Jims funeral, she is so sorry. She is a resident at Magnolia Manor nursing home in Groves . Later maybe if you have the time, she would love to see you.
Jerry And Edmee Clemson, Sc
August 9, 2011
We, his DeLee cousins, knew Jim as quotSweetpeaquot. Of course he was in the Texas division of Grandma and Grandfather DeLees tribe so we, the Reels, did not see him as much as we did some of the others. But his picture was on the mantelplace in Mom and Dads bedroom in our Burdette Street, New Orleans, home. But when we did get together, it was like wild cowboys in the yard and tadpoles in big Beaver Creek. Always followed by watermelon on the creek bank. Our love to all.Edmee and Jerry
Sheryl Duvall
August 9, 2011
My deepest sympathy to you all. Jim was a amazing, kind and loving man. His first rosary as a Deacon was my dads which made it really special. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. He truly will be missed.God bless you,Sheryl and Courtney Duvall
Matt Thompson
August 9, 2011
Deannie I am truly sorry to learn of Deacon Jims passing. He was a great man and a real tribute to the Diocese, during his service he helped many families and he will never be forgotten. Even in his legal practice, he was always there to help. He is at rest now.
Don C. Smith
August 9, 2011
Don C. Smith sends Sympathy to the family of James A. DLee.
Greg And Jodi Stansbury
August 9, 2011
We are so sorry to hear.....Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Love Greg and Jodi
Sandy Rostrom
August 9, 2011
I worked in the Family Law Division at the Jefferson County Courthouse for many years,and saw Mr. DeLee almost daily. It was indeed a pleasure and honor to have know him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family today.
Andrea Parker
August 9, 2011
Becca, Jimmy, Teri, Debbie, Richard, Mrs. DeLee and Family My favorite memories of Mr. DeLee are from your annual Christmas Eve singalong of quotThe Twelve Days of Christmas.quot I still feel bad about Peyton taking over Mr. DeLees quot5 golden ringsquot verse, but he was characteristically gracious to share the spotlight with little miss sunshine. I am so sorry for your loss, but I know you are all relieved that his suffering has ended and he is at peace. I am so honoroed to have known him, and so blessed to have all of you in my life. Love, Andrea
The Singh Family
August 9, 2011
Aunt Deanie, Jimmy, Teri, Debbie, Richard, Becca, and the whole DeLee family,Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Uncle Jug was a remarkable man and he loved all of you very much. We will all miss him.Love,Julie, Ram, Kirsi and Ishan Singh
David Gaspard
August 9, 2011
Deanie, Jimmy, Teri, Debbie, Richard and Becca, I am profoundly saddened by this loss. I simply cannot think of him without hearing his infectious laugh which always makes me smile. I have adored your family since the day we met so many years ago and you are like my quotsurrogate familyquot after all I was dubbed David quotDeLeequot for quite some time. Your pain and sorrow are thus my pain and sorrow as well. So many of my fondest memories involve your whole family. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers and though there are many miles between us I am there with you in heart and spirit.With deepest sympathy, David quotDeLeequot Gaspard
Jane Ledet
August 9, 2011
Becca,Im so sorry for your loss. May God grant peace and comfort to you and your family.
Msgr. Jeremiah J. Mcgrath
August 9, 2011
Dear Deanie and Family,My deep condolences and daily special prayers for you beloved husbands soul. May your family be comforted by the glory of Christs Resurrection.I will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass this Wednesday as I spiritually unite with you over the miles on the day of Jims funeral at St. James in Port Arthur. Jim so faithful ministered Our Lords charity, word and Bread of Life to Gods people of your fine parish how fitting that his Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Guillory at St. James.Not being phyically with you during these difficult and emotional days deeply saddens my heart. Your husband was a very special person, devoted deacon and it was a great grace from God to minister in the name of Christ and the Church with him to the faithful of our Diocese.Blessing, prayers and loving condolences,Fr. Jerry
Mable Decuir Rudisill
August 9, 2011
Deannie my prayers are with you and your family during the loss of your husband. God will be with you as your journey through life continues.DCCW Member Mable Rudisill
Norman And Carolyn Norton Kitzman
August 8, 2011
How blessed we have been to have Jim Sweetpea and Deanie as not only our special cousins but also as friends. His humor, humility, mind, faith and care made our times together on vacations, attending Aggie games, family events, calls etc. so very enjoyable. These past few years have been harder for him but we will always treasure the love between us all. I praise our Lord for the assurance we feel in knowing that he is now at peace with our Savior. Not goodbye, just till we are all together again.
Randy Nicholson And Tom Paquette
August 8, 2011
Debbie and Greig, Ashley, Brett and the whole DeLee family,Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. He was a fine gentleman and will be greatly missed.
Bitty Boudreaux Erskine
August 8, 2011
Dear Becca and family I am sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Take solace in the fact that he is in a much better place and in the grace of God. Take careLove, Bitty
Barbara Preston
August 8, 2011
Deanie: So sorry to hear about JimI didnt realize he was so sick. Jim and I became the of friends when he became a lawyer and would stop in and chat with me in theDistrict Clerks office. He was always a gentleman. He will be missed by many friends.
Ann And Bob Mayberry
August 8, 2011
Dear Deanie and Family,We are so saddened to hear of you losing your dear quotJugquot.I am so very glad I got to see him and give him a hug at the Boultinghouse reunion this past June. You and your family are in our Prayers and Hearts.
Rev Msgr William Manger
August 8, 2011
I find it difficult to digest allthe accomplishments of Jimmy: education, business, membership and orships, but greater is his respoct and love of God.
Sister Rosemary Hoppe, Op
August 8, 2011
Jims gift of service to the People of God as a permanent deacon was just that a real gift. I deeply regreat not being able to be with all of the DeLees especially Deanie and the people of St. James for Jims send off to eternity with God. I knew of his illness across the miles wish I could be there with Fr.J.C., Fr. Don and so many others whom I still carry in my heart now that I am back home in the Crescent City New Orleans.
Sue And Jack Wright
August 8, 2011
Deanie:It was with a heavy heart that I learned of Jims passing this morning.He was a great guy and will be missed by so many people. Believe me that you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this week. May God ease your burden of sorrow.Sue and Jack Wright
James And Joellen Lavergne
August 8, 2011
God bless you and keep you and may the choir of angels lead you into your heavenly home. Deanie and family, please accept our sorrow in the loss of your loved one. Mr. DeLee was a fine, Christian man who was a great example of discipleship and stewardship and I know he will be greatly missed by all. Our prayers are with you. God bless
Howard Snee
August 8, 2011
I preceeded Jim as President of the Port Arthur Founders Lions Club as 1st VP quite often, the day before a meeting, Jim would call me to ask that I preside at the Club the followig day, as he needed to be in Court at that time. Jim was always polite and timely with his requests, which made me feel very good about releiving him, and it gave me needed practice for being the President the following year. After his tenure, JIm presented me with a plaque thanking me for my service, primarily subbing for him at meetings.
Maria Perez
August 8, 2011
Deannie Family: My prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time of loss. Your husband was a going fellow and did wonderful work at St. James Church. I attended quite of few of the 5 pm Masses on Sunday. Your memories and time together will always be with you and your children.With love,DCCW member, Maria Perez
Pam Nelson
August 8, 2011
Becca Unfortunately I dont believe I ever had a chance to meet your dad but having such a wonderful daughter says a lot about him and your mom. I am so sorry for your loss. There are many hearts that are aching for you and your family right now. Know that the support and concern of others will help give you the strength needed to get through this hard time. Also, knowing that he is with our Lord and Savior and there will be no more pain for him should help ease your pain. Remember all the good times and the wonderful life shared with him. May God put his loving arms around you all right now to help give you strength. Love Pam Gaspard Nelson
Dr. Bonita Lowrie, Pdg
August 8, 2011
Most merciful Father, who hast been pleased to take unto thyself the soul of this thy servant Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that having served thee with constancy on earth, we may be joined hereafter with thy blessed saints in glory everlasting through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.. . . from the Book of Common Prayer
Chester Garner
August 8, 2011
To Deacon Jim, You lead me through the Knights of Columbus and now through the Lions Club Thanks for all your good works and leadership. Now you can lead me to Heaven to visit you there.With Love and respect,Chester Chet Garner
Jennie And Pat Brady
August 8, 2011
We have a special place in our heart for Lion Jim. He was always pleasant and cheerful, even when in pain. He was so supportive of us as we worked and learned about Lionism. He had perfect attendance for many years in the Port Arthur Founders Lions Club. He was a wonderful, caring man and we will truly miss him.