Obituary for James Laney DeLaney
On Monday, October 3, 2022, James DeLaney, loving husband and father of two, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones. After a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer and at the age of 76, Jim went to join his Heavenly Father. Jim lived a Christian life full of compassion, humor, and love for the simple things.
On November 14, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas, James was born into a large family with many siblings. His loving mother, Ruby, taught him the value of hardwork and persistence. James attended school in Luling, Texas and graduated with many friends in 1966. Shortly after high school, James enlisted in the US Army where he received training in administration and was sent to support leadership in the Vietnam War.
Upon return, Jim enrolled at Southwest Texas State University and spent his weekends traveling to local dances with his friends in The Moods. At one of these dances, he met his future wife of 49 years, Barbara Ann, and they later married at First Baptist Church in Yoakum, TX. They attended college together until Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Education. Eight years later their son, Jeffery Alan was born, and 6 years later their daughter, Angela Michelle was born. Jim spent the majority of his career working in education. For 28 years, he taught Pre-GED and GED classes at the pre-release facility in Lockhart, Texas.
In his spare time, Jim was the biggest supporter of his two children - spending many hours traveling to UIL events, sporting events, and church related activities. Jim always encouraged them to follow their heart, achieve their dreams, and not to “let the rapscallions and scoundrels get you down”. Jim was a lifelong member of Central Baptist Church and ensured his children were raised in the Christian faith. Jeff and Angela now both work in the helping professions - Jeff as a nurse and Angela as a social worker. Jeff married Lily and had two children, Oliver and Alison.
In his later years, Jim greatly enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren, his children, his wife, his siblings, and his many friends. He spent his mornings at the coffee shop with friends and reading the paper. In the afternoons, he was fond of picking pecans, collecting marbles, reading mystery books, scratching lotto tickets, and watching his favorite sports teams. Jim also loved the University of Texas at Austin where Jeff and Angela both received degrees and spent many hours supporting his Longhorns.
Jim was best known for his quick witted humor, fierce determination, and generous spirit. He was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Ruby DeLaney, his wife’s parents Mike and Luella Havlik, and his siblings Linda, Betty, and Victor. He is survived by siblings Dorothy, Nancy, Rosemary, Ruby, Pat, and Eddie, wife Barbara, daughter Angela, son Jeffrey, daughter-in-law Lily, and two grandchildren Oliver and Alison.
Funeral Services will be held Friday October 7, 2022 at the Central Baptist Church of Luling. Graveside Services will be held Friday October 7, 222 at 2:00 PM at the Hermann Sons Hochheim Prairie Cemetery near Yoakum, Texas with the Rev Brad Mills officiating
On November 14, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas, James was born into a large family with many siblings. His loving mother, Ruby, taught him the value of hardwork and persistence. James attended school in Luling, Texas and graduated with many friends in 1966. Shortly after high school, James enlisted in the US Army where he received training in administration and was sent to support leadership in the Vietnam War.
Upon return, Jim enrolled at Southwest Texas State University and spent his weekends traveling to local dances with his friends in The Moods. At one of these dances, he met his future wife of 49 years, Barbara Ann, and they later married at First Baptist Church in Yoakum, TX. They attended college together until Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Education. Eight years later their son, Jeffery Alan was born, and 6 years later their daughter, Angela Michelle was born. Jim spent the majority of his career working in education. For 28 years, he taught Pre-GED and GED classes at the pre-release facility in Lockhart, Texas.
In his spare time, Jim was the biggest supporter of his two children - spending many hours traveling to UIL events, sporting events, and church related activities. Jim always encouraged them to follow their heart, achieve their dreams, and not to “let the rapscallions and scoundrels get you down”. Jim was a lifelong member of Central Baptist Church and ensured his children were raised in the Christian faith. Jeff and Angela now both work in the helping professions - Jeff as a nurse and Angela as a social worker. Jeff married Lily and had two children, Oliver and Alison.
In his later years, Jim greatly enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren, his children, his wife, his siblings, and his many friends. He spent his mornings at the coffee shop with friends and reading the paper. In the afternoons, he was fond of picking pecans, collecting marbles, reading mystery books, scratching lotto tickets, and watching his favorite sports teams. Jim also loved the University of Texas at Austin where Jeff and Angela both received degrees and spent many hours supporting his Longhorns.
Jim was best known for his quick witted humor, fierce determination, and generous spirit. He was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Ruby DeLaney, his wife’s parents Mike and Luella Havlik, and his siblings Linda, Betty, and Victor. He is survived by siblings Dorothy, Nancy, Rosemary, Ruby, Pat, and Eddie, wife Barbara, daughter Angela, son Jeffrey, daughter-in-law Lily, and two grandchildren Oliver and Alison.
Funeral Services will be held Friday October 7, 2022 at the Central Baptist Church of Luling. Graveside Services will be held Friday October 7, 222 at 2:00 PM at the Hermann Sons Hochheim Prairie Cemetery near Yoakum, Texas with the Rev Brad Mills officiating