James Jans

James Edward Jans

June 4, 1942 – February 24, 2026

James Edward Jans, 83, passed away February 24, 2026.

Born June 4, 1942, in Waterloo, Iowa, he was the son of Edward and Jennie Jans. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Kathleen Bridget “Katy” Jans; his sister, Janice Goodman; and his nephew, Paul Parsons. He later made his home in Tombstone and Benson, Arizona.

James proudly served 21 years in the United States Navy’s elite submarine force, rose to the rank of Lieutenant from E-1 as a "Mustanger" and retired. As a Sonar Technician, he served aboard the USS Halibut (SSN-587), whose historic Cold War missions were later chronicled in the book Blind Man’s Bluff, for which he received the Navy’s highest peacetime medal, the Legion of Merit.

Following his military retirement, he worked 15 years at Northrop Grumman and seven years at Ace Hardware. He was also the author of Benson: The Winter Route 66, reflecting his love of Arizona history.

He is survived by his son, Kenneth Anthony Jans; his daughter, Bridget Kathleen Winkler; his daughter-in-law, Dora Jans; his sisters, Carol (Alan) Lewis and Kathy Castlebury; his granddaughter, Amanda Jones; his great-grandson, Josiah Jones; his six nieces, Cheri Olds, Kimberly De La Vara, Michelle DiGiacomo, Jenna Raynor, Jodeen Boncquet, and Diane Carroll; and his three nephews, Joel Garmon, Jeff Garmon, and Michael Carroll.

Military honors will be held March 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sierra Vista Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Fair winds and following seas.

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