James B. “Jim” Deel, 82, of Warm Springs, Virginia, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at Bath Community Hospital.

Mr. Deel was born May 10, 1929 in Charleston, West Virginia to the late Ernest Deel and Ethel Deel Stephenson. He retired in 1991 after thirty years of service with the Virginia Department of Transportation. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served his country during the Korean War. He was a member of the Hot Springs Baptist Church, VFW Post # 4204, American Legion Post # 92, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and a life member of the National Rifle Association. Jim was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He worked with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for many years after retirement. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who will be greatly missed.

Mr. Deel is survived by his wife of fifty eight years, Frances E. Deel; three daughters, Liz Harvey and significant other Donnie Altizer of Millboro, Virginia; Faye Arel, of Oxford, Maine; and Shirley Matheny of Millboro, Virginia; a son, Ernest W. Deel, Sr. of Millboro, Virginia; nine grandchildren, Amber and J.M. Harvey; Mathew, Mark, and Daniel Arel; Christina Rider; Myranda Matheny; Ernie Deel, Jr.; and Johnny Deel; and a great granddaughter, Kayla Shanks.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Deel; and a sister, Wavalene Botkin.

A funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2011, at McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home, Hot Springs, Virginia, with the Reverend Garland Humphries officiating. Interment will follow at Warm Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mike Colaw, Lee Botkin, Tuck Grimm, Billy Grimm, John Pound, Billy Deel, and Steve Hodge. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 29, 2011 at the funeral home.

Make memorial contributions, in his honor, to the Hot Springs Rescue Squad, P.O. Box N, Hot Springs, Virginia, 24445. McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home is handling arrangements.