James A. "Boats" Boatman
March 22, 2016Share using:
James Arthur ‘Boats’ Boatman passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on 22 Mar 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Geneva Boatman of Monahans, TX., and his second wife, Anna Belle Boatman of Dover, DE.
Boats was survived by his daughters, Deborah J and Charlie Phillips of Tyler, TX., and Evelyn A. Boatman of League City, TX., his son, Jerry C Boatman of Woodville, TX., his step-children, Doris Jean and Louis Kulpa of Cedar Springs, FL., his brother, Edward and Vergie Boatman of Plano, TX., his sister, Nelda Staller of Tacoma, WA., five grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and his first wife and companion, Darlene Deshayes of Woodville, TX.
Jim was born in Rising Star, TX. in 1931 and graduated high school at Big Spring where he excelled in the school’s baseball program. He joined the United States Air Force in Big Spring, in 1949. Boats spent over 40 years involved with the USAF, stationed at many bases including Lackland AFB, in Texas; F.E. Warren AFB, in Wyoming; Schilling AFB, in Kansas; and Ashiya AFB, in Japan. He was involved in the writing of technical procedures for NASA, and was very involved in the Space Program. He was able to witness the launch of STS-117 Mission to the International Space Station, from NASA’s Houston Command in 2007.
Boats loved flying RC aircraft, starting when models had attached wire guides. He built many of the RC planes, he flew and served as officer for the KCAM flying organization in Dover, DE. He mentored many young participants and made great friends throughout his life.
An informal memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, 19 Apr 2016, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE.
Interment will be private and held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Boats requested that donations be made to a reliable charity, benefitting the homeless veterans of this nation.
