James William Elson

James is preceded in death by his parents, grandmother Carrie Marie Allhands Elson, Twin Brother John Wesley Elson, his older brother Alfred Elson, Jeanee Elson, Son-in-Law Daniel Camacho Jr. and Grandson Gregorio Bara.

Left to cherish his memory are his beautiful wife Gloria Mier Elson and four children: Julia Howard (Mark), Adelina Menchaca Camacho, Cindy Schropp (David), Rene Bara (Lisa) and numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren.

James was a faithful servant of God with a gentle soul and kindness that brought out the goodness in his community. James' testament for his love for Jesus Christ was shown through his service with Compassionate Ministries. He could always be found sharing the joyful word of God and praying for everyone he encountered. His loved ones will remember him as a patient and loving man who demonstrated incredible self-control. James found peace spending his time enjoying his favorite activities- yard work, cleaning up the neighborhood, playing ball with the children, sitting on the porch with his wife of 40 years enjoying a cup of sweet tea, watching a movie with the volume on max, walking over to Juan in a Million for a meal, taking car rides to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone, walking to H.E.B, and reading the Bible. James most enjoyed being surrounded by family, especially when sharing a good meal.

James’s first job was loading and unloading trucks after school for National Tea, a grocery supply store in Illinois. James graduated high school in 1955 and went off to join the Navy at 18 years of age. After completing bootcamp, he accepted an honorable discharge due to the Navy’s reduction in force. Upon returning home, he found work at the Railroad Depot and retired as a Mail Transportation Clerk where he was able to travel across the United States with the Railway Mail Service. James moved to Austin, Texas in 1977 where he held a variety of jobs including a grocery stocker at Randalls, Custodian at Crockett High School, dock loader for Borden Dairy Company, and a building maintenance technician at the YMCA of Austin.

James was a loving, caring and generous man whose continuous acts of selflessness will never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed by his family, close friends, loving community, and by his church family.

A visitation for James will be held Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A funeral service will occur Friday, July 18, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A committal service will occur Friday, July 18, 2025 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704.