It is with great sadness that we announce James Dwight DeHaan, “Jim” from Hurricane, UT, passed away Nov. 26 just shy of his 92nd birthday. Jim was born Dec 2, 1932 in Winchester, KY to Paul and Bessie DeHaan. As a child, Jim moved with his family to Michigan. In his early teens, Jim contracted Rheumatic Fever and became very sick. With the loss of his dad, his single mom found it difficult to take care of Jim and sent him to Aruba to live with his aunt. It is here that Jim feel in love with sailing. Upon return t the states he attended Portage High and graduated in 1951. In 1952, Jim joined the US Coastguard and served for 7 1/2 years. Jim later attended Western Michigan and earned a degree in electrical engineering. Jim went to work at NASA Edwards Airforce base, working on projects including the X-15, Space Shuttle Enterprise, and many more. Here, is where he met his wife, Molly. They welcomed their first child Michael in 1963 and then daughter Tamara in 1969. In 1973, the family moved to Wrightwood, CA. It is in this small mountain town that he build a 50’ yacht in his side yard. The Mollihawk II was launched in 1980 in Ventura and the family moved onboard. Jim then went to work at Pt. Mugu Navy Base in Telemetry. Jim retired in 1988 to sail full time. In 1990 Jim gave up the cruising life, although continued to live onboard for 5 years before selling the Mollihawk II. Jim and Molly stayed in the San Diego area, until 2005 when they moved to Hurricane, UT. He lost his beloved wife, Molly, in 2009.
Jim is survived by his daughter Tami, her husband Andy, of Caldwell ID, and their children Cameron James (wife Samantha) of Garden City, ID; and Hayden Albert of Camarillo, ID. Jim is preceded in death by his older brother Paul, wife Molly, and son Michael. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your local sheriffs department or senior center. The family wishes to extend its gratitude to their family and friends for their support,especially to their boss/neighbor/friend Greg Granden and their daughter-in-love, Sam for holding down the fort while they were away taking care of Jim.
Family and friends are invited to funeral services to be officiated by Pastor Billy Hunter, Friday, December 13, 2024 at 12:30pm in the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura. Interment will then immediately follow at Ivy Lawn Cemetery, Ventura.