James Harold DePoyster Jr., the foundation of his family and a man who believed everyone deserved to enjoy life, died on August 27, 2026, in Athens, Alabama. He was 59.
Born on December 28, 1966, in Portsmouth, Virginia, James graduated from Decatur High School in 1985 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College in 1989 and a master’s degree from Troy State University in 1994. He served his country in the United States Navy. Throughout his career, James worked for Hach, Danaher, and the Veralto family, where he brought operational expertise, excellence, and leadership that earned the trust and respect of associates across the organization. In 2024, he was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for excellence in Operations and Business Development—a testament to the impact he made in his field.
But James’s greatest joy was simple: being home with his wife, Rebecca, and their two sons, James H. DePoyster III and Matthew. He held his wife’s hand whenever she was next to him, and he called his family by affectionate nicknames—Baby, Big Love, and The Boy. With all of his travels throughout his life, there was no place like home. An avid gamer and Bama sports fan, James lived with a spirit of generosity and warmth, always wanting those around him to find happiness and meaning.
James is survived by his wife, Rebecca L. DePoyster; his sons, James H. DePoyster III and Matthew DePoyster; his father, Jim DePoyster (Patricia) (Kay); and his siblings, Benny DePoyster (Leigh) and Amy Cassity (Michael). He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia DePoyster, and his sister, LeeAnn Sapp (Paul).
