November 20, 1969 – September 8, 2025
James “Big Jim” Jay Deshler was born November 20, 1969 in Charles City, Iowa to Nancy Lynn Kuhlemeier. He passed away unexpectedly September 8, 2025 at his home in Mason City, Iowa at the age of 55.
A celebration of life will be held at 3:00pm Sunday, September 14, 2025 at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, IA 50401. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, Big Jim would have liked donations to be made to One Vision, 600 Glen Oaks Dr, Clear Lake, IA 50428.
Big Jim graduated from Nora Springs Rock Falls High School with the class of 1988. He went on to earn his degree with DeVry Institute of Technology. He was united in marriage to Amy Beier and to this union, they were blessed with their twin boys, Ryan and Jeffrey. They meant the world to him. Even in their absence, they continued to be his everything.
Big Jim was always geared towards all things technical. Give him an engine and a bit of time, he would have it torn apart, back together, and could tell you exactly how it worked and why. Over the years, he put his skills to work troubleshooting for NCS, mapping out oil fields, and contracting with Microsoft. Working with these companies, he was able to travel the world. Big Jim was passionate about helping others, taking the time to volunteer at the front desk of the pediatric department at Mayo long after his work with Microsoft. After his brain injury in 2008, his world changed. With the support of his father, Richard Lacoste, he was able to navigate through life again. Richard was with him through every step of his recovery and his life thereafter. It may have taken many long days and nights; but Big Jim prospered under his father’s love and encouragement. It was with the help of Jeri Bell at One Vision that he was able to find work with Next Generation Technology and Big Jim’s life started to look even brighter. Big Jim liked to remind those around him that even with half a brain, he was still smarter than them. He cared about others, always ready to make those around him laugh with his quick wit. Out in the world, mohawk up, he had candy and a dad joke at the ready to put a smile on everyone’s face. He loved riding his bicycle. Some days he would go 15 or even 20 miles if it suited him. As of late, he especially enjoyed his rides to Clear Lake and would often go several times a week.
Those left to honor his memory are his sons, Ryan Deshler and Jeffrey Deshler; father, Richard Lacoste; sisters, Carrie (Don) Brown and Jenni (Jim) Fleming; nephews, Cody and Wyatt Brown; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family; ex-wife Amy Deshler, her parents, Linda and Roger Beier, and sister, Nancy (Matt) Stamp.
Preceding him in death are his mother, Nancy; grandma Jean and grandpa Gene, otherwise known as “The pair of jeans”; and grandma Betty.
colonialchapels.com