James Edward Deal was born on December 15, 1933 in Newark, Licking County, Ohio, the fourth son of Robert Fitzsimmons Deal and Ethel Fern Hall. Bob and Ethel were divorced in 1935 and the care of the boys was graciously and lovingly supplemented by Ethel's sisters Hazel, Helen and Mabel and her mother Emma. In 1939 Ethel remarried to a wonderful man named Harry Hillard Gill, a local grocer. Although his three children were already raised, he cared for Ethel's boys like his own, teaching them about the importance of honesty and honor, an appreciation for hard work, and familial love. He was more than a step-father to the boys ‚ he was truly their dad!
Jim attended Ohio University for two years leading toward a degree in French, with the goal of being a French teacher, and his third year was spent attending the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Upon his return to America he discovered that his draft classification had been changed to 1A, making him very eligible to be called up into the Army. He elected instead to enlist in the United States Air Force on 31 August 1954 for four years, planning to use the GI Bill entitlements to complete his college. One month before his four-year enlistment was completed, while working in Salt Lake City, Utah, he met Mary Ann Higbee. After a short engagement, they were married on July 30, 1958. That marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. As newlyweds, they decided to remain in the Air Force. Jim eventually applied for and was accepted into Air Force Officer Candidate School, graduating as a Second Lieutenant on 24 March 1961. He ultimately was promoted to Colonel (O-6) and held that rank longer than any other he held. He spent the rest of his Air Force Career as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer on a variety of aircraft, serving on 14 separate permanent duty stations He served on temporary duty at 79 locations worldwide, and was assigned to duty in 13 different countries. He retired from the Air Force on 1 January 1989, after 34 years four months on active duty. During his time in the Air Force, Jim earned his Bachelor's degree in history from Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska and his Master's degree in Political Science from Auburn University, Montgomery, Alabama.
Jim was hired by Boeing as a Logistic Analyst and worked for them until February 2011. For most of those years he was supporting the development of the F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft. He also supported the Naval Attack Fighter and the Multirole fighter during his 18 years with Boeing.
Jim and Mary Ann were blessed with a son, Michael Higbee Deal (wife Kyle Marie Shumway) and a daughter, Marianne Yvonne Deal Yule and 7 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. About six weeks after their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2008, his beloved Mary Ann passed away suddenly. This was a difficult time for Jim.
However, in 2010 Jim was reintroduced to Karolyn Jean Langford Walden, widow of Arthur Glen Walden, and on March 24 2012 Jim and Karolyn were married in the Seattle Washington Temple. His family suddenly grew, adding three daughters; Laura Walden Anderson (husband Duwayne); Krista Walden Nelson (husband Gary); and Kaylie Walden Streibel (husband Tedd); 11 more grandchildren and adding 3 new great-grandchildren.
Jim and Karolyn were active in Wrinkles of Washington (WOW), a group of senior performers who provided support to the Lacy Senior Center. Karolyn convinced Jim he could contribute to the show, so he did comedy spots and Master of Ceremonies duties. She also got him involved in bicycling and snow shoeing with trips from the Kent (WA) Senior Center. Jim always loved genealogy and family history research as well.
Jim was a man of great faith who set a remarkable example for all of those with whom he came in contact. He loved his Savior and he loved his family. Jim was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jim passed away on January 31, 2017 after a courageous, year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife and children; his older brother, Robert (wife Marlene McCullough); brother-in-law, Jack C. Higbee; sister-in-law, Doris Ficklin Higbee; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 11, at 1 PM at the Union Park Ward Bldg, 700 E. 7500 S., Midvale, UT with a viewing immediately preceding at 11:30 AM. A viewing will also be held on Friday evening, Feb 10, from 6-8 PM at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy, UT. Interment at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery. The family will also hold a Memorial Service at 11AM on Saturday, February 25th, at the Star Lake Ward building, 28616 48th Avenue South, Auburn, WA.
