James L. LaClair

James L. LaClair
Barneveld
James L. LaClair, 42, of Barneveld, passed away unexpectedly November 2, 2022 at his home.
James was born December 1, 1979, the son of Amelia Maynard and Kevin LaClair in Utica, NY. He was Kevin's only child. James, also known as "Droopy" to his friends and family, was a caring and devoted son who was close with his father, which helped him become an amazing and loving father to his own two daughters and the world revolved around those little girls. He was an avid fisherman and you would often find him on a fishing adventure with his brothers. James chose to share his knowledge with the next generation, taking the time to teach his daughter and nephews whenever he could. You could find James behind a sewing machine more often than he liked, a talented tailor, something he learned from his mother, Amelia. He altered many last-minute prom dresses for his nieces, created beautiful garments from scratch and his specialty, his cloth teddy bears. James was also an ardent online gamer. He had forged close friendships with people from all over the world. When he wasn't with his daughters or catching the next whopper, James would spend his downtime at the Hotel Moore with his buddies Rob and Mack.
James was quick to laugh or lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He put his heart into everything he did. James had a quiet strength in him that he could share with a simple hug. His love for his family was evident in everything about him, you could see it shining in his eyes.
To know James was to love him, and he has a lot of people that love him.
He is survived by his daughters, River and Scarlet. Fiancé, Jolene Walker, the couple were set to be married summer 2023; grandfather, Carl and father, Kevin (Linda); aunts, Karen and Ann Marie and uncle, Christopher; sisters, Lisa Cappelli and Wynter Alfred (John); brothers, Sean Saul (Toni), Todd LaClair, and Joe LaClair (Melanie). Nephews Dante, Sean, Christopher, Angelo, Trenton, Gabrielle, Joe Jr., Trenton, Austin and Alex, nieces Zamantha, Brittany, Tanner, Tamar, Skylar, Donna, April, Skylar, Luanna and Amelia, great-nephews, Kaiden, Bobby, Ryker and Jackson. He was close to his second mom, Phyllis Winn and numerous cousins and extended family. He was predeceased by his mother, Amelia; older brother, Mike Cappelli; grandmother, Mary Jane; aunts; Jackie and Joslyn; uncles Joe, Raymond and Peter.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday from 2-4 pm at Dimbleby Funeral Homes, Inc., 7944 Steuben St., Holland Patent, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life at the Hotel Moore, 113 Mappa Ave, Barneveld.