Funeral services for Mr. James “Pete” Dezerne Jr., 84, of Tallahassee, Fla., were held Tuesday, April 27, at Abbey-Riposta Funeral Home in Tallahassee. Interment followed at Tallahassee Memory Gardens.

Born Nov. 22, 1925, in Miami, Fla., Mr. Dezerne passed away April 20, 2010, at his daughter’s residence in Moultrie.

Mr. Dezerne was a farmer, landscaper, and retired lineman with Centel. He served in the US Navy during World War II in Guam, and received many safety awards while working for 35 years at Centel. He was a former member of the Tallahassee Boating Club and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He and his wife were foster parents for many children in the state of Florida and the Children’s Home Society. He loved listening to and dancing to country music.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary L. Borgioli Dezerne of Tallahassee; two daughters, Diane J. Grubbs of Tallahassee and Donna Thompson of Moultrie; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Florence Gillespie of Attapulgus, several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Abbey-Riposta Funeral Home in Tallahassee was in charge of arrangements.