James H DeLano

On Saturday 4th, May 2024, James “BJ” H. DeLano passed away in his home in Cheney, Washington, supported by the love of his family and beloved pets. With his first diagnosis of cancer in 1997, James was a strong advocate for continuing to live each day doing what gave you joy and caring for others. Born the oldest son of Evelyn DeLano on December 31st, 1945, in Monument Beach, Massachusetts, he spent his early years in the Seattle area. A devoted son and brother, his elementary school days found him delivering two newspaper routes before school and after school, caring for an elderly neighbor, before heading to help his Mom at her job. Then it was home to buy groceries and make dinner for his siblings. On other days he carried brick for building homes around the south Seattle area, loading and carrying it up the ladder to the builders. James was this way from the start, making sure Christmases were celebrated and bills were paid. He “lived to work” his entire life –– including participating in the foundation of the Seattle Space Needle. His family soon moved to settle their roots in the Spokane area. Graduating from Lewis and Clark High School, he signed up for the Army and served his country in the Vietnam War. Three tours later, he returned to Spokane and worked hard to re-enter society. Married to Patricia, they had two sons, James E. and Lewis P. Not one to shy away from hard labor, he went into lumber production, hand-working the materials and home building and metal siding. Eventually settling in Medical Lake, he joined the Lakeland Village staff as a nursing assistant, building long positive relationships with anyone who came in contact with him. He could lift you with a joke as quickly as lift you off the floor if you needed a hand. He met his sweetie Katherine at this time and they eventually married. James loved to cook/bake and would take any opportunity to make cinnamon rolls. An active member of his local veterans group and acting as Chaplain, he enjoyed visiting elementary schools to share what it meant to be a veteran, supporting families during burials, and packing up the truck in the dark to drive to far-flung rest stops, to provide free coffee and snacks to travelers, as part of his role within the veterans group. He took it as a badge of honor when the schoolchildren decided his nickname would be Hagrid –– his love of animals was known by everyone. James is survived by his wife, Katherine; sister, Aera; his sons, James and Lewis; his stepdaughter Jessica and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn; his first wife Patricia; his sisters Wilma and Dee Dee and extended family and friends. The world was vastly better for having James “Big Jim” in it and he is missed dearly by everyone who knew him or was touched by his generous spirit. A Memorial will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, please take the time to care for those in need, person or animal, or make a donation to the Special Olympics.

James H DeLano

December 31, 1945 - May 4, 2024