J.A. Hargrave

J.A. Hargrave went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Friday, March 26, 2010. A funeral service celebrating J.A.'s life will be held Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at 2 pm at First Baptist Church Nacogdoches, with Dr. Allen Reed officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Born February 7, 1929, in Waller County, Texas, J. A. was the son of Eva Breneman and Will N. Hargrave. He grew up in Waller County and married his best friend and the love of his life, Ana Lue Barrett. Together they celebrated 60 beautiful years.

J.A. was employed at Armco Steel Inc. for 32 years, heading the United States Western Region Division, following which he became the founder and president of Steel Masters Inc. in Houston, Texas. He loved to build "anything," and was affectionately known as "eagle eye," seeing even the smallest of details. At Steel Masters, J.A. spent many successful years with lifelong friends and business associates building many Houston-area landmarks including Memorial City Hospital, Houston Christian High School, Randall's supermarkets, Pappas restaurants, Sugarland Country Club, Honda dealerships, The Methodist Hospital complex, and most of the Texas Department of Corrections facilities, to name a few. He eventually sold Steel Masters to his partners and employees and moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, where he and Lue retired.

J.A. loved hunting, fishing and all sports, but most of all traveling. He and Lue enjoyed many international trips to Europe, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the Holy Land, as well as many trips across the United States in their motor home. They especially enjoyed their annual trip to Colorado, where they would stay several months, making cherished memories in the company of lifelong friends.

An active member in his community, J.A. was a freemason and a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, as well as numerous business and steel builder associations. For many years, he and Lue were active members of First Baptist Church of Houston, where he served as an usher, and later on at First Baptist Church Nacogdoches. He and Lue also served in the volunteer auxillary of Nacogdoches Medical Center.

In addition to his parents, J.A. was preceded in death by his brothers,Tom Hargrave and Homer Hargrave; his sisters, Inez Hargrave Summerville and Maureen Hargrave Bean; and his son, Paul Wayne Hargrave.

He is survived by his wife, Ana Lue Barrett Hargrave; his daughters and their husbands, Vicki Gail Hargrave Woods and Stephen Woods of Houston; J'Nell Hargrave Comparin and Larry Comparin of Houston; Adana Ann Hargrave Hagel and Rafe Hagel of Nacogdoches; his daughter-in-law, Mary Hargrave Bell, of San Antonio; grandchildren Brandon Woods and Derek Woods; Rachelle Hargrave Swaim and husband Jess Swaim; Jacob Hargrave and wife Janell Hargrave; Matthew Hargrave and wife Haley Hargrave; Joseph Hargrave and wife Kim Hargrave, Rebekah Hargrave Mains and husband Nathan Mains; Sarah Hargrave; Jordan Comparin, Jacqueline Comparin and Miles Comparin; Alisha Hagel, Abigail Hagel, and Alizabeth Hagel; his great-grandchildren, Barrett, Marshall, and Maverick Swaim; Madison, Emma, and Kendall Hargrave; and Bennett Hargrave.

Serving as pallbears are Al Zuniega, Ronnie Peebles, Paul Moody, Jess Jackson, Carroll Camp and Kevin Dillon.

Visitation will be at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Monday, March 29, from 5 -7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the building fund at First Baptist Church Nacogdoches. J.A.'s family also wishes to express our deepest love and gratitude to all our precious family and friends, and a special thanks to LifeCare HOSPICE for supporting our family through this time with sincere love and care. "We love you and will miss you Daddy."

Condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com.