James H. Deschler died on August 9, 2026. Born in Brooklyn in 1949, James lived a life shaped by creativity and originality. After studying at the Manhattan School of Music, he proudly served as a percussionist in the West Point Band. His love of music continued long after his service, inspiring him to create Deschler Percussion, his own mallet-making business.

Jim later brought his expertise to the newspaper industry, contributing his talents to both The Daily News and The New York Times. His varied experiences and passions made him a truly one‑of‑a‑kind presence.

Jim’s passion was always percussion, which is why his family chose the Percussive Arts Society as a recipient for donations in his name — thus inspiring people worldwide (like Jim) to keep finding joy in music.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations in James’s memory be made to the Percussive Arts Society. Visit pas.org/donate and select either the general fund or a scholarship and enter “In Memory of James Deschler” under the dedication options.