James E. McAlister's Obituary
James Edward “Jim” McAlister (Butch)
James Edward McAlister, known affectionately as “Jim” and “Butch,” passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his home in Lewes, Delaware, after a courageous battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 80 years old.
Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, Jim was the son of the late Horace and Dorothy McAlister. He graduated from Damascus High School in 1962 and proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After his military service, Jim worked at the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University and pursued several business ventures. Eventually, he settled in Lewes, Delaware, where he spent the last 40 years of his life as a successful and well-respected real estate agent for Mann & Sons.
Jim had a passion for dancing, a joy he carried with him throughout his life.
He is survived by his brothers, Jeff McAlister (Linda) and Mike McAlister (Cindy); his nephews, Horace McAlister (Tracy), Matthew McAlister (Brittany), Joe McAlister (Molly), and Robert McAlister; and his nieces, Kelley Dalrymple (Alex) and Morgen McAlister. He also leaves behind dear friends Betty Beebe and Joann Wallett, along with his beloved pets, Abby and Maggie.
In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his partner, Orville Rowley, and his brother, Robert McAlister.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Epworth United Methodist Church in Lewes, Delaware, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., prior to the service.
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FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLOWERS DELIVERED ON JUNE 24, 2025 BY 3PM. TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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