James ("Jim") Edward Dettinger

James Edward Dettinger, 99, member of an old Wyoming family passed away Nov. 22, 2016, in La Puente, Calif.

James, born June 26, 1917, in Encampment is the last of six children of Roy and Nellie (Martin) Dettinger. Siblings preceding James in death are Lora, Roy Jr., Fern, Robert and Ellen.

He lived and worked in Encampment (ranching) and Ryan Park (logging) until 1952, when the family (Serene (Marple) Dettinger, his wife, and three children, Nancy, Edward and Peggy) moved to California, living in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas initially. He eventually went to work at Douglas Aircraft, and the family moved to Torrance, California in 1953. In 1965, he and his wife Serene moved to Huntington Beach, California. They also had a cabin in Big Bear, where the family would gather occasionally. He was lovingly known as "Papa" to his grand-children, and two generations to follow. As the years went by, he went into real estate, where he was last employed with Century 21 until approximately 90 years of age. In 1976, he and Serene divorced (she preceded him in death in 1991). He married Carolyn (Cunningham) Dettinger in August 1976, and they lived in La Puente, California until the time of his passing. In his later years, he was always working on something – whether building tables or birdhouses, or refurbishing furniture for his family, as he was a firm believer in fixing what you had versus throwing it away. He loved to play cribbage, a family tradition, and he was recently teaching his great-great grandsons, Mateo and Jairo. His birthdays have been a treat with the two great-great grandsons right there helping him to blow out his candles. Also can't forget how great he was at "Sudoku"!!

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Dettinger (La Puente, Calif.) and one daughter, Nancy Standeford (Garden Grove, Calif.). Two of his children Peggy Beaver (Laramie, Wyo.) and Edward Dettinger (Rawlins, Wyo.) preceded him in death. Also surviving him are three grand-children, Kimberly Rodriguez (and husband Renay Rodriguez of Midway City, Calif.), Teresa Leger (of Sheridan, Wyo.) and Wil Beaver (of Sheridan, Wyo.), as well as five great-grandchildren (Danielle Rodriguez Liau, Alicia Rodriguez Valls, Manuel Rodriguez, Crystal Jenkins, Halie Beaver), and four great-great-grandchildren (Mateo Liau, Jairo Liau, Alexis Jenkins, Braeden Jenkins).

Jim will be greatly missed by his family and friends and remembered fondly with much love by all those whose lives he touched.

A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, January 21st at 12:30 p.m. at Beachcities Community Church in Huntington Beach, California. The Service will be officiated by Gary Malkus (husband to great niece Danielle) of Calvary Chapel Church in Apple Valley, California.

Tributes and condolences may be offered online at [email protected].