James DeLoach Jr.

James DeLoach Jr., 60, of Carbondale, died Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at home.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, son of James Edward DeLoach Sr. and the late Melinda E Barnes-Brugman, James was a history buff who enjoyed watching the sky and collecting his favorite things. He was an unconventional thinker with a lifelong love of learning that was sometimes misunderstood. Whether his curiosity led him to cooking, archaeology, or music, his desire to keep learning was something to be admired. Though he didn’t always express it easily, his love for his children was deep and unwavering.

He is survived by his father, James E. DeLoach Sr.; three children, Christopher DeLoach, Jean-Luc DeLoach, and Sydney DeLoach; a sister, Kathy Valley; an uncle, Rufus DeLoach; two aunts, Elaine DeLoach and Barbara Barnes-Butler-Ridgley; niece, Candace Wilkinson; nephews, Richard and Alexander Wilkinson, Seena Vojdani; cousins, Deb Brandt and family, as well as Derek Butler and family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Melinda E. Barnes-Brugman; a brother, Richard Thurman Wilkinson, and a cousin, Brian Butler.

There will be no public services.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 74 N. Main Street, Carbondale.

To leave an online condolence, please visit the funeral home’s website or Facebook page.