James E. Horrell

James Earl Horrell (Jim), affectionately known as "Granddaddy" to his grandchildren, lived a whole and rewarding life. Jim was born on November 21, 1943, in Marianna, Florida, to loving parents, Geraldine (née Douglas) and Elmer Earl Horrell. Shortly afterward, he and his family left Florida and moved to Long Island, New York. In 1953, they moved to Vienna, Virginia, where he was raised with his brother Michael Douglas Horrell. Jim attended James Madison High School and graduated in 1962. Jim accepted a full ride at Rice University in Houston, Texas, in the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. He would often remark throughout his life that he got to Texas as soon as he could. Upon graduating from Rice University in 1966, Jim became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. The following day, June 5, 1966, Jim married Patricia Ann Parker, known as “Tita”. Jim then served aboard the USS Boxer (1966-1968) and the USS Albany (1968-1970). He entered the United States Naval Reserves in 1970 and resigned his commission in 1973.

Upon entering the Naval Reserves, Jim also took a position as Vice President of Operations at Houston Natural Gas (HNG). While at HNG, Jim worked to secure mineral rights for the company throughout the state of Texas. Additionally, he assumed management of the Two-Fred’s oil lease in Pecos, Texas. During the 1980s, Jim began working in real estate and eventually transitioned into selling real estate insurance. He was a hard-working man, dedicated to his family. Everything he did was for them.

Jim hated pickles, the occasional, wayward Aggie, and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved the Rice Owls, Houston Texans, and Houston Astros. He also enjoyed playing tennis and spending time outdoors, especially in the Texas Hill Country and the Comal River. He spent many years hunting throughout the State. Jim also loved the beach and spent many summers watching the various merchant vessels coming in and out of Freeport, Texas, and watching pelicans nest along the seashore. He loved classic cars, his dogs, and he had an eclectic taste in music, enjoying everything from Simon and Garfunkel, Jimmy Buffett, Willie and Waylon, Jerry Jeff Walker, Zac Brown Band, and anything considered classic country (not the stuff that seems to be a mixture of Country music and Rap, which he often referred to as CRAP!). He also loved John Anderson and that god-awful song, “Swinging”. The family could never understand his desire to listen to this abomination and is convinced he played the record to drive us all nuts. Finally, above all, Jim loved his family and grandchildren.

Jim was a magnetic force; people gravitated towards him, and he accepted and loved them all. He was compassionate, loving, caring, attentive, and hilarious. If you were around him, you were guaranteed to laugh because he had a great story for you (so long as you could get through the sarcasm, targeted condescension, and contempt for fools and incompetents).

Jim is preceded in death by his loving parents, Earl and Geraldine. He is survived by his brother, Michael Douglas Horrell; his wife, Patricia Ann Horrell (née Parker); his daughter, Andrea Kathleen Moore (née Horrell); and his son, Christopher Earl Horrell. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kaylee Ann Moore, Braden James Horrell, Hunter James Moore, and Kellan Marley Horrell. Finally, he will be missed by his beloved dog, Sandra Dee.

Funeral services for James E. Horrell will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Settagast-Kopf at 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Family Visitation will be held at 11:00, followed by an Open Visitation at 12:00. Funeral services will commence at 1:00. Following the funeral service, a procession will be held to Forest Park Southwest Cemetery, located at 9040 FM-359, Richmond, TX 77406, for a graveside service. If you do not wish to attend the graveside service, we will have light refreshments available at 2:30 p.m. in the cemetery reception room. ABSOLUTELY NO TIES ALLOWED!