James was a native of Mamou and later moved to Sulphur in 1959. He was a 1956 graduate of Vidrine High School where he was on the school boxing team and participated in the Louisiana Tournoi in Ville Platte. After high school he attended Shreveport Barber School and obtained his Barber license in 1958. He then went to work for M.C. Simmons at the WestPoint Barbershop. In 1961 he was drafted into the United States Army due to the Cuban Missile Crisis. James was stationed in Germany at which time his first child, Paul was born. His son was 18 months old before he met him. James returned from his tour in 1963 and returned to work at the WestPoint Barber Shop. In 1969 he purchased the business and cut many generations of families hair until he retired in 2016.
He enjoyed family gatherings and cookouts with his friends, going to the boxing reunions and seeing his old boxing buddies. James loved grilling outside, his specialty was ribs and chicken. In his younger years he was an avid fisherman, hunter and shrimper. He was often seen laughing and joking around and always had to get his "dap" from the grand and great-grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Wilma Marie Fontenot Deshotels of Sulphur; his three sons, Paul Deshotels (Margaret), Scott Deshotels (Jackie), Patrick Deshotels (Crystal) all of Sulphur; his grandchildren, Michelle, Erin, Ashley, Marlena, Gavin, Garrison; his great-grandchildren, Jakeson, Kameron, Elizabeth, Dalton; his brother, Joseph Anthony Deshotels of Reddell, LA; his sister, Mary Ann Courville of Reddell, LA; his brother-in-law, Littell Young of Reddell, LA; his godchildren, Sandy Baldridge of Sulphur and Cathy Soileau of Reddell; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Rita Faye McGee and Cecelia Pearl Young
Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Monday, July 25, 2022 in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Phillip Cochran will officiate. Burial will follow in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 24, 2022 from 4-8 pm with a Rosary at 6 pm in the funeral home and will resume on Monday morning from 8 am until time of services.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com for the Deshotels family.
