James Randolph Diefenthal

1944 - 2018

James Randolph Diefenthal, age 73, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at his home in Folsom, Louisiana surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer. He was born December 18, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Elka Freeman Diefenthal and Stanley Martin Diefenthal and is survived by his loving and devoted wife of fifty years, Patricia Cummings Diefenthal, his three children and five grandchildren: James "Randy" R. Diefenthal, Jr., Julie Diefenthal Philippus (spouse Geoff and children Emma, Reese and Natalie) and David M. Diefenthal with daughters Aubrey and Avery and his brother, Edward L. Diefenthal (spouse Nancy). He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering, majoring in electronics from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio and is a graduate of Isidore Newman School and winner of the physics award upon graduation. He worked on the Saturn V booster for Boeing for the NASA Apollo Moon Shot before starting and operating multiple businesses including his family business, Southern Scrap Material Company, which was founded by his grandfather, Adolph "Dief" Diefenthal, in 1900. He successfully led businesses in the oil and gas and plastics industries and invested in real estate. He was a true entrepreneur, had a love of fine woodworking and recently started beekeeping. He was a pillar in the New Orleans community and a member of numerous business groups including GNOEA, First Friday Business Group, Mensa, Jefferson Business Council, Northshore Business Council, Chamber of Commerce and several Rotary Clubs. He was appointed by two Louisiana Governors to serve on several state boards during their administrations. His generosity, kindness, humor and love for family will be missed by all. A memorial service with internment to follow will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.in New Orleans on Friday, June 22, 2018 with visitation at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. Donations may be made to St. Tammany Hospital Foundation at 1202 S. Tyler St. Covington, Louisiana 70433 in lieu of flowers.