James McCord Denton Jr.

James (Jim) McCord Denton, Jr. died peacefully in his home on May 28, 2017 at the age of 92. Jim was born October 19, 1924 in Chicago, IL to James, Sr. and Pauline Denton. Jim grew up in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago where he became a huge Cubs and Bears fan. He loved to tell his family that he refused to pass until the Cubs won the World Series. He was very close to his neighborhood friends, many of which remained close friends through their entire lives. With those friends, Jim became an active member of the local Boy Scout Troop eventually becoming an Eagle Scout, an accomplishment he cherished his entire life. After graduating from Lane Tech High School in 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on his eighteenth birthday. Immediately after his Camp Pendleton basic training, Jim was sent to the World War II European theatre of war where he served in the 394th Field Artillery. His unit participated in the Battle of the Bulge and went on to support the Battle of Remagen during the Allied invasion of Germany resulting in the unexpected capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine Bridge before its collapse. At the end of the war, Jim went back to Chicago where he worked several jobs with the Santa Fe Railroad. He then went on to attend classes at Northwestern University while working several printing press jobs, all while playing semi-professional baseball for various local Chicago teams. In 1951, he rejoined the Army as a Staff Sargent in Military Intelligence, stationed throughout Germany, supporting the Korean War efforts. He again left the Army in 1954 and returned to Chicago to resume his printing career. In 1959, he married Elaine Van Guilder on the campus of Northwestern University. They started their lives together in Chicago giving birth to one Son, Daniel W. Denton in 1962. During this time, Jim joined Gould National Batteries, Inc. in various sales capacities. In 1971, Gould transferred Jim and his family to Dallas, Texas where they all call home today. Jim was an active member of the Hella Shrine where he loved marching with the Drum and Bugle Corps, playing golf as much as possible and following his Grandchildren to every school, band or sports event he possibly could. He is survived by his Son and Daughter-in-law, Dan and Tracy, 2 Grandchildren, David and Alexandra and his Brother in law, Father Alphonse Van Guilder. Visitation will be held Monday, June 5 from 6:00 pm – 8:00PM at the Rhoton Funeral Home, 1511 I-35E, Carrollton, TX 75006. Funeral services and reception will be Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 10:00 am, also at Rhoton Funeral Home. Jim will be laid to rest Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 1:15pm at the Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas with full military honors. Memorial donations may be made to the Daughters of WWII in James M. Denton Jr’s name.