Leisure World’s Singular Tuba Player Is Dead at 84 : Music: James H. Dieffenwierth played jazz but began his musical career with the Salvation Army.

James H. Dieffenwierth, a tuba player with the Leisure World Orchestra and the Kool Kats Variety Band, has died at age 84.

Dieffenwierth began his tuba career as a musician with the Salvation Army Band and continued to play the same tuba for more than 50 years, said Del Curry, a family friend and president of the Kool Kats.

“You just can’t replace a fellow like that,” Curry said. “We have no one in Leisure World who begins to compare.”

Curry said Dieffenwierth’s cherished tuba will be on display at the memorial services to be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 20 at Newport Mesa Christian Center, 2599 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa.

Curry and praised the oom-pah-pah beat that Dieffenwierth provided to the Kool Kats’ renditions of Dixieland favorites. The band was the first Leisure World group to play at Disneyland.

Born July 29, 1909 in Afton, Iowa, Dieffenwierth moved with his wife to Leisure World in 1975.

He was a lighting engineer by trade and worked on the lights at Dodger Stadium, Hollywood Park and other major structures, Curry said.

Dieffenwierth died Wednesday night at Saddleback Memorial Health Center in Laguna Hills during a heart-bypass operation, Curry said.

The Neptune Society of Orange County handled cremation, he said.

Dieffenwierth is survived by his wife, Ruth of Laguna Hills; two sisters, Grace Lorge of Fountain Valley and Lois Jacobs of Valinda, and numerous nieces and nephews.