James Roy "Jim" Deslatte

James Roy "Jim" Deslatte, 91, of Texas City, passed away Monday, April 27, 2025, in Texas City. 

Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, May 4th, 2025, at St. George's Episcopal Church in Texas City, the Rev. David Dearman officiating. Burial will be at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday, May 5th, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M., Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at Emken-Linton Funeral Home. 

Mr. Deslatte was born on July 30, 1933, in Port Arthur, Texas to Rose and Luke Deslatte. As a young boy, Jim was a horse jockey at local tracks. He graduated in 1951 from Stephen F. Austin High School in Port Acres, Texas, where he was an outstanding student and the quarterback of the football team. After high school, he matriculated at The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (later known as Texas A&M University) and joined the "Long Maroon Line" of the Corps of Cadets. Texas A&M was one of his lifelong loves, as was The Corps. He was a Cadet Major and on Wing Staff his senior year, proudly wearing his senior boots. Graduating in late May of 1955 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Mr. Deslatte was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. A few days later he married his loving wife of 58 years, Nita (Woods) Deslatte on June 1, 1955. 

Jim began flight training at Bartow, Florida in a Piper Cub. Graduating near the top of his class, he optioned to fly fighter jets. He first broke the speed of sound becoming a "Machbuster'" on a dive in the F-84. He then trained and flew the F-100 in a TAC Squadron at Foster A.F.B. during the late fifties in Victoria, Texas. If you wanted to get Jim talking, planes and flying were what he loved most. The Air Force was an exciting time for Jim and his wife Nita. They were based for a time in Las Vegas, where Frank Sinatra once walked right past them on the casino floor. After proudly fulfilling his service commitment, he was promoted to Captain, U.S.A.F. 

Upon separation from the Air Force Jim began his thirty-five-year career at Monsanto Chemical in Texas City, Texas. He held multiple positions at the plant in Texas City and transferred to the Chocolate Bayou plant in the early 1960's. He was well respected by his peers working in Distribution, Utilities and serving as the company project manager in the development of the AN 2 Unit. 

Almost all was lost at the Deslatte homestead in Texas City due to the ravages of Hurricane Carla in 1961. The hurricane filled the house with mud and moved the house off its foundation. After working with beloved friends, the house was reclaimed, serving as the sole residence of the Deslatte household since 1959. 

The young couple embraced the dynamism that was Texas City in the early 1960’s. Jim participated in The Jaycees Civic Organization, serving as Vice-President, and developed lifelong friendships. 

Jim maintained a strong faith in the Lord, and was a very active member of St. George's Episcopal Church in Texas City for 56 years. He served as the Senior Warden, Junior Warden (numerous times) and for the last 15 years as Treasurer. He had a great love for the Boy Scouts of America youth scouting program and served as Webelos Leader in Pack 202 and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 282. Jim led Troop 282 to a memorable El Rancho Cima Summer Camp in 1983. He continued his service as Roundtable Commissioner and was a Brotherhood Member of The Order of the Arrow. 

Jim also served on the board of The Texas City Day Nursery and The Texas City Historical Society. He was a member of the Golden Division of the T.C.L.M. Chamber of Commerce and was declared a "Certified Honorary Cuban". 

In retirement, Jim and his wife Nita, traveled the world on cruises with lifelong friends. His late golden years were spent with family on trips and watching his "Aggies and Astros". 

Lastly, Jim was a very kind and gentle man. He was committed to his family, his faith, his community and his alma mater. 

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Juanita, his parents Luke and Rose, and brother Carol. 

Survivors include son Dwayne Roy Deslatte, daughter Derri Lyn Bynum (husband Darrin), grandsons Dalton Johnson, Preston Johnson (wife Gabby), and Carson Clark. Great grandchildren include Rylan and Charlotte, who Jim joyfully saw in his final days at the hospital. 

Pallbearers for the service include: Grandsons Dalton Johnson, Preston Johnson and Carson Clark, along with nephew David Deslatte, Brian Rodriguez and Dr. Craig Scasta. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jim's honor, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.