James Richard DeKay

October 9, 1941 - October 2, 2023

James Richard DeKay was born Oct, 9, 1941 in Huntington Park, CA, to John Kenneth and Lydia Erma Elfrida DeKay. Soon after, the family moved to a new home construction in Hollydale where Jim grew up.

Jim’s education consisted of attending Roosevelt (K-6), St John’s Lutheran (7-8), Paramount Jr. (9), Paramount Sr. (10-12) and one year at Compton Junior College. Jim was extremely active his entire life. During his school years he played all sports with his favorites being running track and playing football. Jim loved the outdoors and as a member of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, going on as many campouts as he was able. Twice he completed the Silver Moccasin hike (65 miles) and once the Golden Arrowhead (63 miles).

After school, Jim joined the Air Force in January 1961. During his enlistment he was assigned to be a Crew Chief on a C-124 transport aircraft. Jim was honorably discharged in January 1965. Seven days after his discharge he went to work for Tumpane Mfg., maintaining NASA aircraft at LAX. In February 1969, Jim left Tumpane and went to work for Continental Airlines. Six months later he was promoted to Lead Mechanic and voted to be the IAM union steward for the mechanics.

In 1982, Frank Lorenzo filed bankruptcy and abrogated all Union contracts. In 1984 Jim helped form the Employees Committee and negotiated the first set of nonunion work rules. In 1989, Jim helped organize the Teamsters to represent the Continental Mechanics and was elected to be the Chief Steward. Over the next seven years Jim was instrumental in negotiating three contracts between the Mechanics and Continental.

After 36 years, Jim retired from Continental in November 2006 and went to work for the Teamsters Union as an organizer and negotiator. Jim was instrumental in organizing United and Horizon airlines and negotiated the first Teamsters contract for Horizon Mechs. Jim retired from the Teamsters in 2013.

Jim met his wife Linda at Messiah Lutheran Church in Downey. Their first date was the 10th grade graduation dance at Paramount High School and they dated until they married on May 14, 1966. Jim always said there was no sense dating anyone else as he found the right one the first time around. Jim and Linda went to Solvang on their honeymoon and went fishing at Lake Cachuma. For the next few years, they traveled extensively, Europe, all the southern Canadian Provence’s, Quebec, New Brunswick and fishing in British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

Jennifer arrived in December 1972, the cutest little thing in a red dress. As you can imagine, Jim encouraged her to get into sports, which she did and was very good. Jim coached all her teams: volleyball, basketball and her best sport, softball. Jim was the head coach for the Astros, which was the Ponytail softball team Jennifer played on, and the team actually went undefeated two consecutive years. He always said there was nothing like coaching girls. They were competitive on and off the field.

Alexis was born December 10, 2009 and was a true inspiration to Jim. He was so proud of all her accomplishments. He loved spending time with Alexis, whether they were working in the garden, repairing fences, or riding around the golf cart at LA Sporting Clays, he also enjoyed taking her whale watching, riding amusement park rides at Knott’s Berry Farm, trips to the aquarium, dinners at Golden Coral, and many more countless excursions. Jim celebrated his 80th birthday, doing what he loved the most, coaching – only this time it was Alexis’ ponytail softball team, the BombSquad.

Jim loved to sing. He was in the choir at Paramount High School and Messiah Lutheran Church for many years. He was asked to sing at many weddings, including Jennifer’s.

As stated earlier, Jim loved the outdoors and spent as much time as he could hunting and fishing. Deer, elk, antelope, ducks, geese, pheasants, quail, doves… there was always something in the freezer. His favorite pastime was long range fishing. At least three trips a year 15 -17 days on the ocean at a time, searching for giant Yellowfin tuna, Wahoo, etc.

Jim is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Jennifer, granddaughter Alexis, sister Joan, brother John and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 20, 2024 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Downey.