James Deason

James "Jimmy" William Deason, age 66, died unexpectedly January 24, 2021 at a Lubbock, Texas hospital after a short illness. He was born July 17, 1954 in Lovington, NM the son of Lester H. Deason and Joyce M. Moorhead.
Funeral services will be held at Hermosa Baptist Church 2407 W. Hermosa Drive Artesia, NM where he attended church and served as a deacon. Services will be officiated by Jeff Houghtaling on February 5th, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Food will be provided after by the church family.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife Janet, his father Lester Hale Deason, and siblings Floyd R. Deason, Jerry A. Deason, Laura Deason, Leslie "Ginx" Arzberger, and Gerald Grimm.
Jim is survived by his children Jeffrey Deason and wife Sabrina of  Artesia, NM, David Deason of Roswell, NM,  Krystal Deason of Roswell, NM and their mother Viola Deason of Roswell, NM. His mother and stepfather Joyce and Harry Darrough of Roswell, NM. His siblings Joy Rouse and Lester Deason of Dexter, NM, Misty Thompson of San Diego, CA, and Wayne Darrough of Roswell, NM. His grandchildren Jeffrey Deason Jr. and wife Harley of Lubbock, TX, Nathan Deason of  Artesia, NM, Justin Deason and Jacob Deason-Determan of Roswell, NM and Dalan J. W. as well as one great grandchild Harper Deason of Lubbock, TX.
There are many nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as chosen family too numerous to mention that loved him dearly. Jared Deason was a very close nephew who Jimmy had the honor of being an Uncle, friend, and father figure to.
Honorary pallbearers include Stan Grant, Raymond Webb, Randy Woods, Joe Banda, Robert Cosper, Eddie Novak, Robert Fernandez, and Jerry, Jeff, Joby and Ty Houghtaling.
Jim recently retired from the Eddy County Road Department where he was a heavy equipment operator for many years. He made many lifelong friends there adding to his chosen family. He also worked for many years as a truck driver for Steere Tank Lines and Groendyke Transport out of Artesia, NM.
Jimmy loved God and served Him in his church and in his life. He had many friends and was easy to keep in contact with. He was a loyal and good friend and will be missed.
Jimmy had a love for life which he lived to the fullest and never slowed down right up until the moment God said it was time for him to leave us and come to his Eternal Home. He was always ready for the next social gathering or good time and always looking for his next adventure. He had a love for music and he loved to dance and could woo the ladies of all ages with his mean two step! Some of his favorite activities were playing golf, camping, fishing, drag racing, and taking little trips with friends and family. His weekly Saturday movie to spend time with friends, kids, and grandkids was definitely a priority to him but we think it was really because he liked the popcorn and how comfortable the seats were to take a nap in. He enjoyed watching football and was a Raiders fan as well as always being up to go out and enjoy a good meal with friends and family. He enjoyed going on cruises which he would plan well over a year in advance and always tried to get everyone to go with him to enjoy the festivities. Lots of people joined him on the different cruises and will have great memories to cherish from those fun times.
There are many life lessons Jim taught his children and grandchildren all of which we will carry with us through life and put into practice to honor his memory. The importance of getting up, suiting up and showing up in life every day no matter what situation you are facing, working hard, saving for your future, paying your bills on time and having a good credit score, keeping the oil changed regularly in your car, tipping people like you should, and looking a person in the eye when you shake their hand. He taught us the importance of respect and to love your family without limits.
My dad was a man of God. I have no doubt he is in heaven. I find comfort in the words I can clearly hear him saying to me once as he comforted me through the loss of a friend. He said honey when my time comes please don't be sad. I know where I am going and I know it will be a time of rejoicing like nothing I can even imagine. I will be reunited with all the people I have endured the pain of losing while I was here on this earth and it will be a celebration like no other I have ever experienced. Know that someday I will be there waiting to welcome you to that same joyous place and we will be together again.  Find strength in those words from my dad and find comfort in your memories with him because there are so many good times to remember. Shed your tears for the pain of losing him but most often when you think of him smile because that is what he would want you to do.
Dad, thank you for being so much more to us than we ever could have asked you to be. We will love you always.
The Deason family would like to express our gratitude to the staff of Artesia General Hospital who cared for my dad in his final days when we couldn't be by his side. We would also like to thank all the friends and family who brought food and flowers and offered your unending support and prayers through our very difficult loss.