April 9, 2026, 91, Goldsboro – James Edward Diffee, 91, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, passed peacefully on April 9th, 2026 at the NC State Veterans Home in Kinston, NC. Born September 4, 1934, in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, he was the son of Isaac Holt Diffee and Vanda Cobb Diffee.
Soon after receiving a basketball scholarship to Campbell University, he was drafted into the United States Army—an unexpected path that became the foundation of an extraordinary 22-year military career. From 1956 to 1958, he was stationed at Picatinny Arsenal with top secret clearance during a critical period of early Cold War weapons development. In 1958, the Army selected him for advanced technical training at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he studied engineering and electronics from 1958 to 1961, later earning his degree in computer engineering.
Throughout his career, Major Diffee served in highly sensitive and historically significant roles. As one of a select group of Army cryptographers, he transcribed communications for President John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis while stationed underground at Camp David. He later assisted Rear Admiral Grace Hopper in the early development of the COBOL computer language, contributing to the foundation of modern computing.
He served two tours in Vietnam managing the data processing center and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service during the Tet Offensive. His expertise in data processing led to assignments with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
During his military service, Major Diffee continued advancing computer education and technology, working with the Department of Defense Computer Institute (DODCI) in Washington, D.C., where he taught COBOL and helped establish its first computer and keypunch laboratory using UNIVAC systems. He concluded his military career at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., retiring with the rank of Major.
Following his military service, Major Diffee continued sharing his knowledge through education. He taught data information systems at George Washington University and later taught COBOL at Wayne Community College, where he influenced and mentored many students entering the field of technology.
After retiring from the Army, he worked for Carolina Power & Light in Raleigh before relocating to Goldsboro in 1977, where he resided for more than 40 years. He later became a Regional Manager for United Services Life Insurance Company, earning numerous awards for excellence in life insurance and investment services.
Major Diffee was deeply committed to his community. He volunteered as a baseball coach in both Virginia and Goldsboro and served as a reading and math buddy in local elementary schools. He was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, serving as President of the Methodist Men, and held leadership roles as President of the Golden Kiwanis (Golden K’s) and President of the Retired Officers Association at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
An avid golfer, he recorded two holes-in-one at Walnut Creek Country Club and another while stationed in Verdun, France. A lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, he took great joy in what he called “hitting for the cycle”—attending in person a Single-A, Double-A, Triple-A, and Major League Cardinals game over successive years. He also attended the Cardinals’ World Series victories in 2006 and 2011 with two of his grandsons and had the opportunity to meet his favorite manager, Tony La Russa. He also had a well-known love for buying and selling cars. His longtime insurer, USAA, once shared that they had to adjust their system because they had never anticipated anyone owning more than 75 cars in a lifetime. At last count, he had purchased more cars than his age.
Major Diffee was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Jerry Diffee and Herbie Diffee; his wife of 61 years, Bettie Jane Mason Diffee; his son, James Anthony Diffee; and his grandson, Cody Lee McLendon. He is survived by his four daughters: Pamela Diffee; Paula McLendon; Pattie Diffee (Rick) and Penni Bland; 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in his honor to the Disabled American Vets organization at help.dav.org.
Major Diffee’s arrangements are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro.
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