James Joseph Deegan, a native Houstonian, was born at St. Joseph Hospital on May 28, 1935 to Inez Elizabeth Carroll and James Edward Deegan. Raised in Galveston, where his family had lived for four generations, he was in the first class to graduate from the new Ball High School. He held a B.A. Degree from the Univeersity of Texas-Austin with majors in history, psychology, sociology, and science. He held an M.Ed. from the University of Houston in administration. He taught for 35 years in 6 schools in HISD including every course in social studies from Texas History to Economics. After retirement he was in the first docent class of 1999 at Rienzi, MFAH, where he remained as a docent emeritus. He held executive positions in many educational organizations, and after retirement he became the tour coordinator for LEOH.
He is survived by many wonderful friends.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, Monday, April 16, 2018 with the funeral service to follow at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet St. The interment will be at Glenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the University of St. Thomas, 3800 Montrose, Houston, TX 77006 for the restoration of the Link-Lee Mansion, or the Peavy School of Nursing.
