Diamond Sr.

James L. Diamond Sr., 89, of Butler, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Newhaven Court at Clearview.

Born Oct. 3, 1936, in Butler, he was the son of the late John T. Diamond and Pauline E. Johnson Diamond.

Jim started his working career at J.C. Penney on Main Street in Butler. Jim then was hired as a draftsman at Pullman Standard and served in that capacity for several years. Deciding he wanted to be an engineer, he began a 10-year journey with ICS (International Correspondence School) and taught himself mechanical engineering by correspondence while working full time and raising five children. Graduating ICS in 1973 with his degree in mechanical engineering, he continued his professional education over the next seven years and eventually earned a professional engineer license (PE) in 1980. He continued to work for Pullman Standard for more than 20 years as a freight car engineer. Jim then started his own engineering company and worked for 35 years as the owner/operator of James L. Diamond and Associates.

Working at Pullman Standard was the beginning of a lifetime appreciation of rail cars and all things trains. Jim eventually added planes into his mix of hobbies, earning his private pilot license with his first solo flight in September of 1998. He flew for many years and was an active member of the Moraine Flying Club.

Jim enjoyed spending time at his camp along the Allegheny River in Kittanning. He was an avid boater, teaching all of his children how to water ski. Jim transitioned to a pontoon boat and enjoyed going up and down the river listening to the music of Jimmy Buffett. He was an accomplished swimmer, swimming as a youth on the Butler High School swim team. Campfires were a big part of his camping life and he made many fireside pizzas for the entire camp.

In addition to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, Jim served honorably in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from 1962 through 1965.

Jim was an active member of All Saints Parish, St, Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Moraine Flying Club. Among his community activities, he served for 17 years on the board of the Butler Transit Authority.

A railroad enthusiast, Jim was the driving force behind the Pullman Historical Society and the installation of the Pullman Standard-built freight car on the grounds of the former Pullman plant in Butler. The yellow covered hopper stands proudly on the grounds.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his loving wife, Cooky. Jim and Cooky spent 68 years together, taking numerous cruises together, boating together and spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Frances R. “Cooky” Nigro Diamond, whom he married May 22, 1958; five children, John N. Diamond and his wife, Michele, of Ashtabula, Ohio, Marybeth Walters and her husband, Darryl, of Hilliard, Ohio, James L. Diamond, Jr., and his wife, Kelly, of Ogden, Utah, Timothy J. Diamond, of Butler, and Teresa A. Diamond, of Butler; and one sister, Mary Ann Coyle and her husband, Joe, of Butler.

He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Michael Diamond and his wife, Erinn, Matthew Diamond and his wife, Kelly, Marissa Manocchio and her husband, Jonathan, DJ Walters and his wife, Allison, Taylor Walters, Hannah Hedrick and her husband, Tyler, Alex Diamond and his wife, Tana, Oliver Diamond and his wife, Chelsy, Gabe Diamond and his wife, Lacie, Timothy J. Diamond II, Noah J. Diamond, Kaitlynn Poston, and Carlie Walkowiak and her fiancé, Dalton Pierce; and 13 great-grandchildren, Annie, Gracie and Sammie Diamond, Jack and Lucas Manocchio, Calvin and Cameron Diamond, Olivia Walters, Maelynn and Kronen Goepfert, Genevieve Hedrick, Avery Diamond and Ruth Diamond.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Diamond family extends many thanks to the caregivers, dining room staff, housekeeping and maintenance teams at Newhaven Court — Jim sure enjoyed you all. Special thanks, also, to Medi Home Health Hospice for helping Jim over the past year.

DIAMOND — Family and friends of James L. Diamond Sr., who died Saturday, June 20, 2026, will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, in MARTIN FUNERAL HOME SOUTH SIDE, 429 Center Ave., Butler.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 25, at All Saints Parish, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler, with the Rev. Kevin C. Fazio officiating.

Burial will take place in St. Michael’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of James Diamond to the Pullman Standard Historical Fund, c/o Matt Warheit, 133 Dodds Road, Butler PA 16002.

For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.