James Charles Victor Dion, 66, of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away on August 27, 2025 surrounded by family.  He was born November 8, 1958 in Key West, Florida, to Edward and Diane (Waste) Dion.

Devout Catholic, adoring husband, devoted father, baby brother and lifelong friend, Jim was a man of many hats who lived many lives. Jim was brought into this world by talented artist Diane Dion and passionate public speaker Edward Dion, as the last baby of a large, loving family. The first part of his life was spent being adored by his six sisters and one brother while he lived as a free spirit roaming the streets of Miami, Florida, feeling the wind in his wild curly mane and getting into all kinds of shenanigans with his best friend Trigg. Jim's life was forever changed at the age of 22 when God "slapped him upside the head with a 2x4" after a near death experience and brought him back to the Catholic church in a big way. If you've ever met Jim for more than a moment, you've probably heard his testimony! Jim entered into his first marriage a short while later and had a whole slew of children that he raised with the utmost gentleness and patience, played catch with, taught innumerable life skills, took out for many ice cream cones, and constantly made laugh. He and his kids grew up over time, but Jim remained forever young at heart and never retired from being the family goofball. God sent Jim's "Beautiful Bride" Lucy into his life in perfect Divine timing and they spent just shy of 24 joyous years together traveling the country and raising a beautiful, bountiful, blended family that gave him seven perfect grandkids and one on the way. Jim was also a master mechanic who loved his work, and had probably forgotten more about motors than most will ever know. He dedicated 18 loyal years of his life servicing machines all over Central Texas for Tennant Company, who treated him like a member of their family. A treasured member of several church communities, Jim devoted years teaching catechism at St. Thomas the Apostle, spent 3-4 AM every single Wednesday night in adoration of the Eucharist at Sts. Peter and Paul until his cancer diagnosis, and could be found on most Sundays at the Mission of Divine Mercy cheerfully driving parishioners around in his golf cart. He was known to invite in every missionary who came to his door and even counter-converted a few to Catholicism – he was so successful that Jehovah's Witnesses were actually instructed to skip our house! He will be remembered for his extremely loud sneezes, pan-sized pancakes and omelets, far-out taste in music, dry dad humor, boisterous laughs, and as someone you could always call upon when your car was making a weird noise or you needed a prayer. Jim went home joyfully and peacefully to his beloved Jesus and Mary at 9:22 PM and fulfilled each of his last wishes: to transition at home, surrounded by his loving wife, all of his children, and all of his siblings. We like to think he chose his transition time intentionally as a way of making it up to Lucy for missing their upcoming 24th anniversary on 9/22.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Lucy; children, Joshua Dion, Joseph Dion (Jessica), Marie Dion (Casey), Angela Dion, Stephen Dion (Valerie), Allison Dion (Jordan), Carlos Cervantes (Lynn), Ernest Cervantes; grandchildren, Opal, Santiago, Praise, Jaivonni, Keiani, Aiven, Kievan; siblings, Donna Granger (Dave -dec.), Joseph "Joe" Dion (Bettina), Sally Murray (Gene), Yvonne Beck (Larry -dec.), Sylvia Brumback (Jim -dec.), Anita Kos (Frank), and Peggy Brown (Dusty).

A Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 8, 2025, at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM prior to the service.  A Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels.  Interment will follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jim's fundraiser to cover his substantial medical bills and end of life expenses. Those with the financial means are invited to send donations here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-send-jim-dion-home