Jimmie Donald LaHaye

Jimmie Donald LaHaye, resident of Houston, Texas since 1964, went to be with the Lord on July 24th at the age of 86. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.O. and Ida LaHaye, his wife, Evelyn (Polly) Lawson LaHaye his son, Edward Joseph LaHaye, his sister, Ruby LaHaye Young. Also, he was preceded by his brother, Edward Joseph LaHaye, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country being shot down over France in WWII as co-pilot of a B-17 as part of the D-Day invasion of 1944.

He is survived by his daughter, Lauren LaHaye Tucker and her husband Kevin Tucker of Sugar Land, his son, A.J. LaHaye and his fiancé Janet Lee from Houston, grandson Andy LaHaye, his wife Caroline LaHaye and six month old beautiful great grandchild Madeline Janet LaHaye, all of Houston, grandson Remington LaHaye of Denver, Colorado, granddaughters Christine and Rachel Tucker of Sugar Land, step-grandson Matthew Tucker of Richmond, and step-grandsons Ronald, Donald and Ray Holsomback of Katy. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Merle Lawson Farrar of Bellaire, by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews around Port Barre, Louisiana and Port Arthur, Texas, and by many friends he acquired over a very rich lifetime.

Born in 1925 in Port Arthur, TX. he attended and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in 1942. He was proud to have served in World War II attaining the rank of corporal in the United States Marine Corps. His unit relieved the marines who captured Guadalcanal in the first U.S. offensive against Japan. He saw action in the Battle of Okinawa almost giving his life at least three times. His unit was poised to attack Yokoska Japanese Naval Base when they received the news about the atom bomb detonations and the surrender of the Japanese. His unit was one of the first American forces in the occupation of Japan.

After the war he met the love of his life on a blind date in Port Arthur. He and Polly Lawson married in 1947. He attended Texas A&M University from 1946-1948 and graduated from the University of Texas with a BBA.

He and Polly lived in Albuquerque for a short time and then moved to Dallas where all three kids were born. There he worked for the Johnson and Johnson Company. He became Vice-President of Pepsi Cola Bottling Company in Beaumont, Texas in 1962. From there he moved to Houston as vice president of President's & First Lady Health Clubs. He personally oversaw the construction of numerous new health clubs both in Houston and around the country, expanding part of the empire that eventually became Bally's.

After retiring from President's he became a licensed Texas Real Estate Broker and started Jim LaHaye & Associates, selling residential real estate in the Houston area with a Red Carpet Real Estate franchise. He also started Caldwell-LaHaye Commercial Real Estate with his longtime partner and friend David Caldwell of Houston.

In retirement, he built his dream home, a log cabin in the hills near Hunt, Texas, and lived there for a few years with his second and ex-wife, Ethel MacDonald, before moving back to Houston. He spent a large part of his later years living his dream as a world traveler and visited most of the countries in Europe and many around the world.

In his last days his nurses regularly commented that he "makes us laugh" with the great sense of humor he had even up to the very end. They made the end of life as pleasant as possible for him. The family wishes to heart fully thank the staff at The Hampton Meadows Place and Altus Hospice for their dedicated and loving care for him.

He had a good life and acquired many good and lifelong friends along his journey. He was an active member of St. Justin Martyr Catholic Community in West Houston. Before passing he personally accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He has now joined Polly and Eddie in Eternity.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 pm on Wednesday August 1, 2012 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday August 2, 2012 at 12:30pm in the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Memorial Oaks Cemetery.