James Bleaker Degen

Bleaker James Degen was born September 4, 1935 in Bell, California. He was 90 years and a few weeks old and traded his home in Mansfield, TX for one in heaven with his savior, Jesus Christ, on September 19, 2025. 

He attended parochial schools, served in the CA National Guard and US Army Reserves for 8 years before his 34-year employment with Pacific Bell and AT&T. Upon taking an early retirement from the phone company, he joined the staff at California State University Fullerton as a Biology Department Technician for 12 years. After fully retiring in 2003, he and his wife relocated from Orange County, California to the Dallas Ft. Worth metroplex. It was often said of Jim that he could fix anything! Despite being highly dyslexic and having only a high school education, he amazingly made intricate repairs to any and all things electrical/mechanical. And so, the saying goes, “If Jim couldn’t fix it, it couldn’t be fixed.”

Throughout the years Jim pursued many hobbies, whether it be hunting, stamp collecting, HAM radio operator, expert woodworker, jewelry and gemstone lapidarian, auto mechanic, gardener and house renovator, Jim did it all and did it well.

Janice DeGrado-Degen was his devoted wife of 56 years. They have two loving sons.

Eric and wife Lynnette Degen

Matthew and wife Christine Degen

Due to his funny impersonation of Donald Duck, he fondly became “Duck-Papa” to his dearly cherished 3 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Grandsons

US Air Force Master Sargeant Christopher Degen and wife Kaylin Degen

Retired US Army Captain Nathan Degen and wife Katlyn

Granddaughter

Nicole Degen-Bush and husband Iraq US Army veteran Michael Bush

Great Grandchildren

Ellie Degen, Degen James Bush, Easton Degen, Florence Bush, Lincoln Degen, Klaus Bush, Addison Degen and Siena Bush

The Degen family appreciated you honoring Jim with your presence. He would have been so pleased to see your kind faces. Thankfully, there will be a beautiful hello in heaven after our goodbye on earth.