James E. Laubach

The second son of Solomon H. and Anna Rusch Laubach, Jim, as he was known, was born on October 9, 1923 in Okeene, Oklahoma. A second generation American, one set of his German heritage grandparents had immigrated from their home in Oberdorf Gouv, Saratov Russia to Marion, Kansas in 1888. The other came from New Messer, Russia to Peabody, Kansas, in 1876. Both sets settled in Oklahoma during the opening of the Cherokee Strip in 1892, known as the Oklahoma Land Rush.

Jim spent his childhood in Okeene and worked in his parent’s grocery store, along with his two brothers. He graduated from Okeene High School in 1941 before attending junior college for two years. He enlisted in the Navy, during WWII and proudly served our country, stationed at Pearl Harbor. While still serving, near the end of the war, he was among the many enlisted men moved back to the mainland for continued civilian education and training. At this point, he chose the chemical engineering field and attended Virginia Tech. Upon his honorable discharge, Jim returned to Oklahoma and completed his BS in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma University.

After graduating, Jim became employed by Gulf Oil in Port Arthur, TX. It was there, that he met and fell in love with Gloria J. Williams, an elementary school teacher. They married on January 15, 1949. They had their two sons, there.

After 10 years with Gulf, Jim went to work for the engineering firm, Howe/Baker and relocated to Bellaire, TX in 1957. From there, he was transferred to Caracas, Venezuela in 1958 and then Aruba, Dutch West Indies. Their next stop was Tyler, TX, in 1960. After two years in Tyler, they moved again. This time to Lake Jackson, TX, where he worked for Nalco Chemical Co., in Freeport, TX, for the next seven years.

Transferred by Nalco to Gary, LA in 1969, the family made their home in Baton Rouge. The next year, Jim changed jobs to Mobay Chemical Co. (now Bayer) and settled in Baytown. He was on the original plant start-up and served as production manager and, then, maintenance manager during his 13-year stint at the plant.

After 35 years in the chemical industry, Jim’s desire to become his own boss led him into land development. He left Mobay in 1982 to pursue his dream of building residential subdivisions. He created Barbay, Inc. a.k.a. Tower Terrace Subdivision off of FM565, in West Chambers County. He then started G & S Utilities Co., the central water and sewer facilities for Tower Terrace, the adjacent subdivision, and the racetrack facility, to the north.

Jim’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, golf, and his lifetime passion, the game of bowling. A lifelong OU fan, he tried to never miss a Boomer Sooner football game. He thrived on solving mechanical and math problems. He and Gloria loved to play bridge with friends, especially his favorite cousin George and his wife Rose. Jim served as a Regent on the Lee College Board and was a member of the Baytown Chamber of Commerce and the Goose Creek Country Club.

His parents, his brothers, Jay Wesley and Roger, brother-in-law J.C. Williams, Jr., and cousin George Weinmeister preceded Jim in death. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gloria, his sons, James G. and wife Wendy K. Laubach of Rockport, TX, Steven and wife Elizebeth (Libby) W. Laubach of Baytown, five grandchildren, Jennifer A. and husband Todd McDaniel of Baytown, Sean S. and wife Janell Laubach of Baytown, Megan E. Laubach and fiancé, Erik Ontiveros of San Antonio, TX, Ryan F. Laubach of Baytown, and Haley E. Bechtolt of Baton Rouge, three great-grandsons, Gavin T. Laubach, Julian R. Laubach, and Maddox J. Laubach, all of Baytown. Three sister-in-laws, Nona Williams Hubert of Fair Hope, Alabama, Ruth Laubach and Adeline Laubach, both of Oklahoma City, OK, one brother-in-law, Max H. Williams of Monroe, LA, cousin-in-law Rose Weinmeister of Houston, and numerous nieces and nephews, also survive Jim.

A private, family memorial is pending. In lieu of the usual remembrances, please make a donation, in Jim’s name, to the Alzheimer’s Association, P. O. Box 8462 Chicago, Illinois 60680-8462 or www.ALZ.org to help future victims in their fight against this terrible disease.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Baytown, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281)422-8111.