James Lewis Diven Sr's Obituary
James Lewis Diven Sr., age 86, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Parkside Assisted Living Memory Care in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was born in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 19, 1936 to Homer Francis Diven and Macy Elizabeth Stunkel.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 8, 2023, at New Life in Christ Church, 507 Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950. Interment will be later at Riverview Cemetery in Fayetteville, Tennessee.
Jim was married to Doris Hall Diven, his wife of 58 years, on Feb. 20, 1965 at the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Alabama. They have two children: daughter, Aletha L Diven Hickey, and son, James Lewis Diven Jr.
He was predeceased by his parents, his parents-in-law, and several aunts and uncles.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Diven is survived by daughter, Aletha L (John) Hickey, of Davis, California; son, James L (Denise) Diven, of Cumming, Georgia; five grandchildren, Justin Robert Hickey, Sarah Elizabeth Hickey, Jacob Lewis Diven, Matthew James Diven, and Katherine Grace Diven. He is also survived by a half sister, Barbara Shirley of Madison, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Ramona Mercer of Jackson, Tennessee, and several nephews and nieces, one of whom has been very special throughout his married life, Wanda Bennett (Howard) Southerland.
After graduation from Pasadena High School, Pasadena, Texas in 1954, Jim received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1958, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959, both from Rice University, Houston, Texas. In 1962, he received his Master of Engineering at Wichita State University, in Kansas.
Jim began his engineering career in 1959 with the Boeing Company in Wichita, Kansas before moving to Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked for Brown Engineering from 1962-1968. For the next 22 years his civil service career was with Army Missile Command, Huntsville, Alabama, Air Force Contract Management Division, Marietta, Georgia, Air Force Space and Missile Division, Boeing Company, Seattle, Washington and Air Force Space and Missile Division, Los Angeles Air Force Station. Before retiring in 1994, he worked for General Electric-Lockheed Martin-Marietta in Los Angeles, California.
At age 17, Jim became an Eagle Scout of America and in 1953 obtained his private pilot’s license. His other accomplishments included being a member of American Society of Engineers and was a Professional Engineer of Alabama. He was active in the Acworth, Georgia Lion’s Club of America; a deacon at Mercer Island Baptist Church, Mercer Island, Washington; trustee at Woodbridge Community Church and scoutmaster of Boy Scouts of America Troop 655, Irvine, California. As the scoutmaster he led two backpacking trips to the crest of Mt. Whitney. After moving to Punta Gorda, Florida, Jim joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 9-8 and was a member of the Punta Gorda Police Volunteer organization for more than five years. He was a member of New Life in Christ Church of Punta Gorda.
Throughout the years, Jim enjoyed sailing in Lake Washington and the San Juan Islands, Washington State, growing orchids in a greenhouse he built in the backyard, designing and building a Koi pond and remodeled rental properties while living in Texas. Up until his health failed, Jim and Doris traveled the world, accumulating more than 500 nights cruising and some bus trips to Europe.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Doris and James Diven Endowment Scholarship, Belmont University, 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37212; Tidewell Hospice Foundation in memory of James Diven, 3550 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34239; or New Life in Christ Church, Scholarship Fund, 507 Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950.
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