James “Pole Bender” Russell Deshotel Sr., age 73, passed on July 25, 2026. and was born on Jan. 29, 1953, in Lake Charles to Jeffery J. Deshotel and Virginia Pilley Deshotel. James loved hunting, spending time with his loving family, having his coffee and cigarettes. James was preceded in death his parents; brother, Jeffrey Scott Deshotel, and sisters, Vickie Neeley and Katherine “Kitty” Ann Braswell. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ula Mae LaBove Deshotel; son, James R. Deshotel Jr. and his wife, Michelle; son, John R. Deshotel; grandchildren, Jenny Deshotel, Breianna Swift (Chris), Jamie Deshotel, Gavin Deshotel, Hayden Deshotel, and Lily Deshotel; brother, Doug Davis; 5 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. James will be laid to rest at a later date in the Pilley Family Cemetery.