James Lee Rascoe

James Lee Rascoe, 79, passed away on September 13, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born in Mt. Tabor, Arkansas on April 2, 1946, at the home of a midwife. That home still stands today. James spent his early years with his parents near Glenwood, Arkansas and later in Las Vegas, NM before settling in Carlsbad, NM. While in Carlsbad, his sister, Joy Anne, was born. In 1959, the family moved to Dell City, TX after his father, Roy Lee Rascoe, fell in love with the farming community. James still lived in Dell City at the time of his passing.

James graduated from Dell City High School in 1964. His class had 8 other students and James liked to tease people who did not know about Dell City that he finished 9th in his class. After graduation, he worked for a time with his uncle JD Rascoe building homes in Hot Springs, AR. From 1966-1968, James served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He was able to visit many countries in Europe during this time. After his stint in the Army, James returned to Dell City, helping his father farm. On July 19, 1969, he married Helen West. James and Helen moved to Carlsbad where he worked at the potash mines. He and Helen welcomed 2 children, Tammy Dee and Chad Lee, during this time. They eventually moved back to Dell City in 1971 to farm and raise their family.

James was very active in supporting the community. He served on the Dell City ISD school board, Dell Telephone board of directors, the HCUWD#2 board and was highly supportive of the Dell Valley EMS. He enjoyed playing golf and attending NFL games and NASCAR races. James loved spending time with friends and family. “The Hut” became a meeting place for the fair, holidays, family reunions, Friday night dinners and card games, memorial services and parties for birthdays and weddings. He started the buggy trail rides during the fair that began with breakfast at “The Hut” before they took off on their adventure.

James’ passion was farming. From an early age to present, he spent countless hours either on equipment, talking to hay buyers, and making plans for the future. Every day, he would say, “Going to make a circle”, to checkout the progress of the day. James was a man who thought outside of the box. He was a risk taker and wanted to try new endeavors. James was willing to listen to ideas about new types of equipment to be more efficient, and new types of crops for rotation. He surrounded himself with family and friends who had the same passion to help see his ideas come to life. He loved to buy a farm that had been out of production and transform it into a thriving piece of land. He loved to show off these transformations.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Juanita Rascoe, wife Helen Rascoe, nephew Lee Riley Dean, and special cousins with whom he was raised with, Patsy Podbevsek, Rodney Short and Suda Howard.

He is survived by his children, Tammy Dee Rascoe and Chad Lee Rascoe of Dell City, sister Joy Ann Dean also of Dell City, grandchildren Chance (Mikala) from Dell City, Brandon (Kayla) of Puyallup, WA, great grandchildren Raiden Gilbert, Kiri Gilbert and Brinley Rascoe of Dell City, Audrey Hughes and Royce Hughes of, Puyallup, WA, great niece, Reagan Dean of Carlsbad, NM, his aunt Faye Scrimshire of Carlsbad, NM, and many cousins too numerous to name. James is also survived by his father-in-law Austen Lewis, sister-in-law Charla Palma and their families and friend and companion Grace Holguin.

A Celebration of Life service will be held September 27, 2025, at “The Hut”, 109 Gentry Road, Dell City, TX at 11:00 a.m. A potluck lunch will be served after the service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. Also, if you wish, bring your musical instruments, James loved good music.