DRISKILL, James R. (Jim)

Meldrum Mortuary & Crematory, Mesa, Arizona James R. Driskill August 2, 1935 ~ June 17, 2015 James (Jim) R. Driskill of Mesa, Arizona passed at his home June 17, 2015, surrounded by family members, after battling cancer. Mr. Driskill was born at Lamar, Colorado in 1935 to Paul Edward "Bus" and Muriel Thelma Driskill. He graduated from Lamar Union High School in 1954 where he participated in football, basketball and track. After graduating from high school he attended Lamar Junior College for one year; the following year he attended Adams State College where he played for the Adams State College Indians football team. He married his high school sweetheart Georgetta Canfield in 1956. A son, James Driskill, Jr. was born in 1957. While attending Adams State College he was drafted into the United States Army. He served for two years in the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis Washington. After his honorable discharge from the US Army he returned to college and graduated with a BA and MA degree in education. After one year of teaching in Cotopaxi, Colorado he was recalled to the US Army during the Berlin Crisis. After his second tour of duty he was employed as a teacher in Rocky Ford, Colorado where he taught physical education and coached football, basketball and track for thirty three years. During his teaching career Mr. Driskill touched many students in a positive way. He was affectionately referred to as "Coach Driskill" or "Mr. D". During his tenure in Rocky Ford he was elected to the Colorado Education Association Board of Directors for two years. He was later elected to the Rocky Ford School Board for fourteen years. As a member the St. John's Masonic Lodge, he served as the Master of the Lodge and was the Demolay Dad for a number of years. In 1989 he received the prestigious Award of Excellence from the Grand Lodge of Colorado, A.F. & A.M. for his outstanding contributions to teaching and service to his students and school. After retiring from education in Colorado he and his wife Georgetta moved to Mesa, Arizona to be near their son James, daughter-in-law Robin and grandchildren Samantha and Dustin. He enjoyed his grandchildren and participated in many of their activities. Both his father and mother preceded him in death along with brothers Bob and Paul Driskill, Sister Pat Yoder, grandparents Isabel and Edward Driskill and Lucy and Schyler Ison. Mr. Driskill is survived by his wife Georgetta of the family home, a son James Driskill, Jr., a daughter-in-law Robin, grandchildren Samantha and Dustin. He is also survived by sister-in-laws Darlene Driskill of Montrose, Colorado, Jeannie Driskill of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Claudette (Lester) Williams, Betty Donahue of Colorado Springs, and close friend Dick Bock (Cathy) of Denver, Colorado. Services for Mr. Driskill are to be held at the Peacock Funeral home in Lamar, Colorado on June 26th at 10:00 am with internment to follow at Fairmount Cemetery in Lamar, Colorado. View current obituaries from » Meldrum Mortuary & Crematory.