James Joseph Deluca

James "Jimmy" Joseph DeLuca, age 82, died on Dec. 21, 2023. He was a resident of Haslett, MI. He was the oldest child of Frank Carmen & Kathleen Mary DeLuca born in Lansing, MI on July 30, 1941. He grew up in Lansing, where he attended Resurrection High School & graduated in 1959.
Following graduation, he worked for the Michigan highway department, then enlisted in the United States Navy. He was very proud to have served his country & loved being a sailor. He had vivid memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 in which his ship, the USS Norfolk was involved. Upon his return, he ran his parents' saloon (DeLuca's) in Grand Ledge and soon after relocated there. In 1974, he opened his own bar "Jim's Garage" also located in Grand Ledge, MI.
He leaves behind a younger sister Josephine (Wendell) Barnes of Angels Camp, CA, brother Michael (Katie) of Bath, MI and youngest living brother George of Surprise, AZ. He is survived by his four children. James (Jimmy) of Hot Springs, SD, Lisa (Gregory) Atkinson of Morrice, MI, Janel (Scott) Sieffert of Howard City, MI & Colleen Austin of Grand Ledge, MI. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren. Maya DeLuca of Springfield, MO, Korey (Jake) Mathers of St. Johns, MI, Taylor Perry of Morrice, MI, Karlie (Walter) Johnson of Jacksonville, FL, Tanner Atkinson of Morrice, MI, Alivia (Jordon) Waytovich of Lake Station, IN, Leah Sieffert of Howard City, MI, Carmen Austin of East Lansing, MI & Colton Austin of Grand Ledge, MI. He is also survived by one great grandson (Judson), four great granddaughters (Braelynn, Camilla, Kendall, Scottlyn) with two more great granddaughters on the way! Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by a younger sister Rosemarie (who lived only hours) and youngest brother John of Scottsdale, AZ.
He loved sponsoring & playing softball in the 70's. He led Jim's Garage to the slow pitch championship in 1978. He enjoyed driving his whole family around in the hay wagon pulled by his prized John Deere Tractor 50. He enjoyed cooking, hunting & fishing. He lived for Friday nights where he would watch his grandsons play football. He was a die-hard Michigan State Spartans & Detroit Lions fan. He was a social butterfly even though he didn't get out much in the last few years. When he did, he loved talking to everyone he met & was genuinely interested in learning about other peoples' lives. He could talk to anyone. He was someone who could recall dates, names, events with ease. His memory was phenomenal. He will be sorely missed by all his loved ones.
Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 3:00 pm. Service will be held at Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Delta Chapel 6301 W. St. Joe Highway, Lansing MI 48917 with visitation for the public from 1:30-3:00 PM. Luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Disabled American Veterans @ help.dav.org.