After a tough battle with pneumonia, James “Jim” Allen Deskins passed away peacefully in his sleep with his son by his side.
Jim was born to Jim and Shirley Deskins on Jan. 30, 1950, in Chehalis, Washington. He came into this world after his mother had to be taken to the St. Helens Hospital in a road grader during the famous blizzard of January 1950. He was a caring brother to three siblings: Ron Deskins (deceased), Darryl Berg and Sharyll Fisher (Berg).
Jim graduated from Adna High School in 1968 and went on to study at Seattle Pacific University where he studied mathematics. While attending school, he met Carla Lowe and they were married and went on to have three children, Kyle Deskins, Ryan Deskins and Joy Israel (Deskins).
Jim had a successful career in education for 14 years. After inheriting the Deskins family homestead on North Fork Road in Chehalis, his family relocated and he pursued his true passion as an entrepreneur in agriculture and farming. He then purchased a dairy farm in Onalaska, which he operated for 12 years with his family. Jim then worked in the construction industry, where he eventually retired.
Jim met Clareda Nikula in 1998 and they were married in 2002. They loved playing cards together, visiting family and friends, going to garage sales and spending time at home with their dog, Sage, by the fire.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Deskins; his mother, Shirley Berg Baggenstos; his brother, Ron Deskins; aunt; Lorene Vallee (Deskins); and nephew, Brandon Sturdevant.
Jim is survived by his wife, Clareda; his siblings, Darryl and Sharyll; his children, Kyle, Ryan and Joy (Cedric); stepdaughter, Cindi Turner Walker; his grandchildren, Kody, Wyatt, Whalen, Becca, Carlie, Deacon, Lauren, Evan and Cole; his nieces, Alicia Barnes, Rashelle Fisher, Kalee Berg, Emily Fisher; and numerous cousins.
There will be a graveside memorial service at the Deskins family cemetery at their homestead at 1855 North Fork Road on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at 1 p.m., followed by a potluck and bonfire. Bring a lawn chair and a dish to share!
