James Bleaker Degen

James Bleaker Degen has peacefully passed away on September 19, 2025, at the age of 90.

James was born on September 4, 1935, in Bell, California, to Anna Mae and Bleak Lawrence Degen. He grew up in Bell, graduating from Cantwell High School in Montebello. James married Janice Leigh in Huntington Park, California on August 2, 1969. He had a 30+ year career with Pacific Bell and AT&T as a technician. After early retirement, he worked in the School of Natural Science at California State University Fullerton as a Biology Tech. James attended church at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Burleson, Texas, and he enjoyed being a HAM radio operator "K6VNG", and a guy who could and would fix anything.

James proudly served in the US Army, California National Guard, and the Army Reserves from 1954 to 1962.

Those left to cherish James's memory are his wife of over 56 years, Janice Leigh Degen; his sons, Eric and Lynette Degen, Matthew and Christine Degen; his grandchildren, Christopher and Kaylin Degen, Nathan and Katlyn Degen, Nicole and Michael Bush; his great-grandchildren, Ellie Degen, Degen Bush, Easton Degen, Florence Bush, Lincoln Degen, Klaus Bush, Addison Degen, and Ciena Bush, along with many loving family members and friends.