James Z Passwaters

James Z. Passwaters, age 69 of Georgetown, Delaware, passed away on February 25, 2026.

Jim was born in 1956 to Lawrence Z. Passwaters and Jean Passwaters. He lived most of his life in the Milford area with his parents and siblings. He was a trouble-maker from an early age, always ready for some light-hearted fun and a good laugh. He excelled at soccer during his school years.

He began working for the state as soon as he graduated high school, beginning his career in mosquito control, and soon thereafter moved up to work as a game warden with the Department of Natural Resources. He lead the charge for the 1989 merger of the Marine Police and Game Wardens into the division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement. After the merger he was selected to serve as captain. He not only served as captain until his retirement, he was also the first person to be honored as Wildlife Officer of the Year three times, in 1982, 1986, and 1987. Jim founded the Fish & Wildlife Volunteer Program and helped coordinate Inland Bays Cleanups; he was particularly proud of these programs. He made many dear friends during these years and their stories led to hours of good times at a cookout or sitting around a fire. During this time he also worked at his landscaping company and nursery, Sussex Landscaping, where he and his son Andrew spent long years working happily together.

After his retirement from the state, he worked with Delmarva Chicken Association where he advocated for the poultry industry and helped start efforts to plant vegetative buffers of trees, grasses, and other plants around chicken houses. He developed and managed DCA’s free-to-members program that helps them design, install, and maintain living buffers on their farms to improve neighbor relations and protect water and air quality. Jim received a Special Medal of Achievement award in 2021 for his extensive work.

He enjoyed his retirement fully, traveling regularly with his wife Debbe, frequenting beautiful beaches and camping often. They were regulars at Trap Pond until his health declined.

Jim is survived by his wife of 24 years, Deborah Passwaters, his children Allison Vande Kappelle and Andrew (Meg) Passwaters, stepdaughter Audrey Aldrich, his grandchildren Riley, Brennan, Sienna, Isaac, Tylor, Kaley, and Christian, his siblings Phyllis (Harold) Jerman and Norma (Bucky) Shelton, and niece Jeni (Rob) Shelton, as well as numerous other family members and close friends.

A celebration of life will be scheduled in the spring in accordance with Jim’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Division of Fish & Wildlife Donation Fund, Attn: Pam Severson, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901 so that his life-long passions can be continued.