James DeRose, age 79, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026, in his home surrounded by his family. James was a 1966 graduate of Central Catholic High School. He entered the United States Army serving in the infantry from 1966-1969. He fought in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne and was then assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Airborne Group at Fort Bragg with the training and advising program for infantry wanting to become Special Forces. James went to work for the Allen County Sheriffs Department starting out in the jail then becoming a dispatcher and eventually becoming commander of dispatch a position he held for six years. He loved music of all kinds, especially of his generation and enjoyed playing the keyboard. Family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

James DeRose was born on August 22, 1946, in Fort Wayne, the son of Patrick James and Lavonne Marcille (Bump) DeRose. He married his high school sweetheart and wife of fifty-six years, Donna Manuel, on January 21, 1950, in Fort Wayne and she survives.

Survivors also include his children, Karen DeRose, of Fort Wayne, Cindy (Jeff) Lude, of Columbia City, Lori (Ryan) Jackson, of Huntington, James (Nikki) DeRose and Thomas (Susan) DeRose, both of Fort Wayne; his grandchildren, Matthew, Alli, Jarred, Aiden, Maddie, Gavin, Alivia, Jemma, Joseph, Kylie, and Rob; great-grandchildren, Hudson, Hadley and Ivana; his siblings, Patrick (Shirley) DeRose, and Marilyn Gatton, of Fort Wayne, Carolyn (Steve) Minnich, of New Haven, Diane (Ron) Dantzer, of Huntington, John (Trina) DeRose, of Hoagland, Theresa (Lynn) Rosswurm, of Butler, and Virginia Kirby, and Helen (Mark) Carrico, of Fort Wayne, and Mary (Brian) Sievers, of New Haven; and a brother-in-law, Lee Dilley, of Fort Wayne. He was preceded in death by his parents, a stillborn sister, Karen DeRose and sisters, Jeanette Newman and Patricia Dilley, and brothers-in-law, John Gatton and Delbert Kirby.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Service will follow at 1:00 P.M. in Divine Mercy Funeral Home with Fr. Glenn Kohrman officiating.

Interment will be St. Joseph Cemetery, Roanoke with grave side military honors by the Roanoke American Legion and the United States Army Honor Guard.

Memorials are requested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To sign the online register or to send condolences please visit www.divine mercy funeralhome.org