In Loving Memory

James Lyle Rascoe

James Lyle Rascoe, age 80, passed away with his loving son, Steven, by his side on March 22, 2023, in Colville, Washington, following a lengthy battle with dementia. James was born on January 9, 1943 in Newhall, California, to Glenn Lyle and Ada "Nina" (Hobbs) Rascoe.

James would spend his childhood in Bakersfield and Oildale, California, and he was actively involved with several sports throughout his childhood. James was an avid water-skier and boat enthusiast, and during his high school years, he became involved with baseball, football, and tennis at North High in Bakersfield, where he would go on to graduate. Following graduation, James made the selfless decision to enlist in the United States Air Force along with a good friend of his as an air policeman, going on to be stationed on Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) in Germany around the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Upon his return to Oregon, he was introduced to the love of his life, a roller-skating carhop at a restaurant outside Corvallis named Peggy Goe, through mutual friends. In the following months, their friendship blossomed into love, and the two were soon engaged. James and Peggy would soon move into an apartment above a drug store in Corvallis. The newlyweds would go on to return to James' hometown of Bakersfield, California loading up all of their belongings into a trailer hitched to his '55 Chevy, and it was here they would welcome their first son, Steven in 1965, followed by Kevin and Chris in the coming years.

Here in Bakersfield, James would begin working as a blueprint copy engineer, a lengthy career that would see him work through the transition from analog to the digital age, a change that he took in stride. As a blueprint copy engineer, he made ammonia copies of architect's blueprints and seismic data logs for oil fields and researchers, and performed photograph enlargement for various companies and individuals. As their boys got older, Peggy was able to return to work, and as James continued to work, he made sure the boys grew up knowing that running a household required participation from everybody, teaching them how to cook, clean, and do laundry, even after a full day's work.

When he wasn't busy with work, James was extremely active, just as he had been in in school years. He was an active hiker and camper, going on many hikes with friends and family, as well as on his own. He was also an avid cyclist, even purchasing his very own Raleigh Professional bike in the late 70's. All of James' pastimes honored his strong appreciation for the outdoors, an appreciation carried on by his sons. James was always proud of his three boys and the men they had become through his mentorship in life.

In 2006, after the boys had graduated and left the house, and James had retired, he and Peggy would relocate to Colville, Washington following a suggestion from a set of good friends. Colville would soon become home base for the couple as they enjoyed their senior years together travelling the western United States, first in a pop-up trailer before seeing an upgrade to a more comfortable model in 2012. James and Peggy would take their final trip together in 2015, as Peggy's dementia progressed and her needs changed, she became more comfortable in the home she had come to make her own over the past nine years. From this point on James would lovingly care for her in their home, before entering the care of Avalon Care Center until her 2018 passing.

Following his hip replacement while Peggy was in the care of Avalon, James' own decline associated with dementia and cancer would arise, and just as he had lovingly cared for Peggy, their son Steve lovingly began to care for him in the home until his passing. James spent countless days sharing memories with Steve, just as he had shared stories while they went on hikes together in past years. During all of these conversations James did his best to pass on the wisdom he had gained over the years.

James was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Peggy Rosanne Rascoe; his sister Susan Wareham and his parents, Glenn Lyle and Ada "Nena" Rascoe.

He is survived by his sons, Steven, Kevin, Christopher and his wife Kelli; his grandchildren, Maddison, Ian, and Sarah; as well as two great grandchildren, Nixon and Jameson.

A celebration of James' life is being planned in his hometown of Bakersfield, and will be announced at a later date. Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with James' care and cremation.