James A. Depto

He was born May 30, 1943, in Warren, Pa. He was the son of Anthony A. Depto and Edith Rickerson Depto Elsholz.

He was a Warren area resident most of his life, living in Albany, Ga., while he was in the service. Jim was a veteran of Vietnam War, serving with the U.S. Air Force as an airman second class. He earned a armed forces expeditionary medal. He was employed for 45 years with the former National Forge Company and Elwood Crankshaft, retiring as a polisher foreman. He owned and operated Depto Christmas Tree Farm. Jim was a member of the Warren Eagles Aerie and Clarendon Veterans of Foreign Wars Club 314. He had been a Little League baseball coach. He also was a coach at Allegheny Valley Elementary School, coaching boys and girl’s basketball and also for the Sheffield High School Girls Basketball team. Jim was an avid New York Yankees Baseball fan, hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. He especially enjoyed being Santa for many years for numerous groups, most especially for the Warren Special Olympics and Clarendon Veterans of Foreign War Club. He loved traveling anytime he could, he enjoyed traveling to the western United States. Every child who ever entered into his home, all knew him as Papa.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Norma Grosch Depto, whom he married in 1962 in Warren, Pa.; five children: James M. Depto and wife, Jamie of Clarendon, Pa., Michael N. Depto of Kane, Pa., Michele Depto Kent and husband, Kevin of Starbrick, Pa., Kelly Depto Stanko and fiance, Andrew Bonnell of Warre, Pa.; special grandson whom Jim considered as his son, Christopher Jordan at home; 10 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Todd A. Depto, who died Dec. 21, 1992.

Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, Pa., on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. CDC guidelines and state mandates will be observed, must wear masks and social distancing will be enforced. Limited visitation will also be observed, so please be patient. A private funeral service will be conducted at the convenience of the family, with the Rev. Dale Haight, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery, where full military honors will be provided by members of the Clarendon/Sheffield Veterans of Foreign Wars Funeral Honor Guard and the U.S. Air Force personnel.

Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Warren County Special Olympics or Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department or Disabled American Veterans.

Email condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com