James passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025 in his home surrounded by his family. James was born in Houston, TX, August 20, 1934 to James Thomas Reneau, Sr. and Doris Ann Lincoln Reneau. As a child and teenager, James and his family moved around living in Mobile, Al., El Paso, TX, Shreveport, LA., Chickasha, OK., New Orleans, LA and finally settled down in Conroe, TX. During his teenage years James would deliver groceries by bicycle all around the Conroe area. He also worked as a gas station attendant and worked at a nursery mixing soil and growing turnips. James graduated from Conroe High School in 1952 and later attended the University of Houston and Sam Houston State University at nights while working 70-hour weeks to support his family.
James married his wife, Leona Irene Atkinson Reneau, June 5, 1956. James and Leona met while attending a social at The Church of God Seventh Day in Groceville, TX where James was a lifetime member. A few years after they wed, James was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 2 years. He then started his family, having 3 boys: Jay, Kelley and Link. James loved to sing and play the piano for the church congregation. He was a member of the men’s quartet for 40 years. James’s dedication to Leona during her declining years was unwavering. In Leona’s later years, Leona had short term memory loss and James had reduced vision to the point where he could not drive. Leona could drive, but could not remember where to go. The two of them made the perfect pair as she would drive and he would navigate. Leona was the love of his life. They were married for 63 years.
James loved saltwater fishing with his father and family. He passed this love along to his children and other family members. He enjoyed sharing stories and his life experiences to enrich others’ knowledge. He was always patient and would take time from his busy schedule to explain things, in great detail, to others, that would allow them to accomplish the things that came naturally to him. He also loved to work outside around his property with his bulldozer and back hoe. He was always there to help those in need of assistance.
As an adult, James supported his family with his brilliant mind and memory, which he applied towards a career in engineering and manufacturing. His love for mechanics and engineering started at an early age working alongside his father at home and alongside his childhood friends in steel manufacturing facilities in Houston where he operated presses and shears calculating the size of the parts to be formed. James and his friends would catch a ride, rain or shine, in the back of a coworker’s truck to get to work in Houston. In 1960, James joined Sparkler Filters, Inc., which became his life’s career where he first started by overseeing the building of Sparkler’s new home in Conroe, Texas. He then went on to work as a draftsman and design engineer for several years before being asked to join the management team in 1965. James eventually became the President and Chief Operating Officer of Sparkler Filters, Inc. and was the acting Chairman at the time of his death. In total, James worked for Sparkler for an unheard of 65 years. James leaves behind a legacy of family, friends and co-workers, along with the business he nurtured and loved. James was the living embodiment of how to lead by example. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher and mentor to the countless people he encountered over his long life.
James is preceded in death by his wife Leona Reneau, parents James and Doris Reneau; his sisters Doris and Lois and brother Jerome Reneau. He is survived by his brother Franchot Reneau and wife Elaine; children Jay Reneau and wife Cindy; Kelley Reneau and Julie Fuller; Link Reneau and wife Kelly; grandchildren Jesse Reneau and wife Anna; James Reneau IV; Laura Winford and husband Zach; Ashley Luly and husband Brian; Quintin, Trentin and Riplee Reneau; Brady Risner and Kensie Doucette and great grandchildren Mackenzie, Logan and Hannah Winford; Cooper and Savannah Luly; Mabel Reneau; Westyn Price and Karter Risner; nephews and nieces and countless number of friends.
Many thanks to James’s wonderful and loving caretakers who helped care for him in his later years.
James will be put to rest near his home of 51 years at County Line Cemetery next to his beloved wife Leona.
A visitation for James will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cashner Funeral Home. A graveside interment service will occur Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM at County Line Cemetery, Fm 3081 @ Brown Road, San Jacinto County, Willis, Texas 77378.
Serving as pallbearers are Quintin Reneau, Trentin Reneau, Brady Risner, Jesse Reneau, Zach Winford, James Reneau IV, Brian Luly and Logan Winford.
