James William DeRoos

James William DeRoos was born on June 12, 1942 in Sacramento, CA and entered into rest on July 26, 2025. Jim is the only son and second-born child to parents, Veronica (Slattery) and John DeRoos.

Jim played varsity football, track and basketball at Bishop Armstrong High School (now Christian Brothers) graduating in 1960. His talents as an athlete earned him spots on the All City teams for Sacramento in both basketball and football. Jim received a full athletic scholarship to the University of San Francisco earning his Bachelor's degree in history, with minors in both philosophy and religion. He also received an ROTC commission at USF.

After college, Jim bravely served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army serving from 1965 to 1971 during the Vietnam War. He was not only a decorated soldier and hero, but also a player and coach for the 8th Army basketball team in Korea. As a Green Beret and Special Forces Ranger in Vietnam, Jim earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart.

Jim's gifts for serving, teaching and helping others spanned his entire life. Jim met his beloved wife, Patricia, in 1972 in South San Francisco where she taught and he was a student teacher. One year later, they married on July 7, 1973. Both educators in Manteca, Jim and Patty lovingly raised their three children in the community in which they taught. Jim loved coaching at Manteca High School and teaching at Calla Continuation High School where he was dedicated to helping his students achieve and succeed. Jim completed his teaching career of 33 years in 2005. After retirement, Jim joined Patty at St. Paul's Food Pantry where he found joy in serving those in need. He had a passion for keeping up his classic Corvette, maintaining its flawless appearance with a painstaking dedication to detailing and cleaning. He also spent his retirement years as an avid numismatist imparting his knowledge of coins with others in the coin collecting community.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Veronica and John DeRoos, and sisters Jane DeRoos and Judith Wolf. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia, and their three children Jon and wife Gina of Manteca, daughter Molly of Modesto, daughter Katie of Ripon, and granddaughters Gwyneth Berry of Knoxville, TN, and Audri DeRoos of Ripon. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Foreman of Mississippi, and many nephews, nieces and cousins. With all of Jim's many achievements, his greatest passion was his family. He was totally dedicated to Patty, his children, and granddaughters. Jim was truly a quiet man with a huge heart filled with patience, kindness, wisdom, and love. Jim's quiet strength, laughter, loving presence, calming reassurance, love of sports, and outstanding character will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services for James DeRoos include a public viewing at P.L. Fry & Sons in Manteca on August 14th from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., a private burial with full military honors on August 15th, at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA, and a public memorial service at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Manteca on August 16th, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Paul's Family Ministry or to St. Paul's Food Pantry programs at www.stpaulsmanteca.org.