John James Birner

J. James Birner, 49, passed away in his sleep on the morning of Monday, April 25, 2016, in Magnolia, Texas. Jim, as he was known to all, lived the first 8 years of his life in his birthplace of St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born December 6, 1966, to Rosemary Milanovits (nee Chumley) & George Milanovits. Jim was preceded in death by his father, George, who died in a tragic accident when Jim was just 14 months of age. His mother, Rosemary, remarried to Philip (Phil) Birner, and Phil adopted Jim just shy of his 5th birthday. Phil was the only father that Jim ever really knew. In 1975, the Birner family relocated from St. Louis, Missouri to the Greater Houston area where Jim remained until his passing.

Jim married fellow Klein High School Class of 1985 alum, Stacey Birner (nee Lankford) on October 8, 1994 and together they spent almost 22 loving years building a life that was truly their own special adventure.

Always one to laugh and joke, Jim was an avid cook and foodie and his interests included hunting, fishing, and anything having to do with the Texas A&M Aggies or Disney. There was never a prouder or more supportive husband and father. He truly lived to make his wife and children happy and to share with others, the stories of their joy.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Stacey & 5 children: Benjamin James, Cooper Dwight, Sadie Marie, John Thomas, & Marshall Philip; parents, Phil & Rosemary Birner of Spring, Texas; brother, Robert Birner & spouse, Tami Birner of Spring, Texas; sister Julie Birner & partner, Julie Cook of Magnolia, Texas. Father-in-law, Dwight Lankford of Spring, Texas and mother-in-law, Sandy Knight of The Woodlands, Texas; brother-in-law, Brent Lankford & spouse,Tanya Lankford of Conroe, Texas; sister-in-law, Jennifer Shaw (nee Lankford) & spouse, Terry Shaw of Magnolia, Texas; sister-in-law, Candice Hofstra (nee Lankford) & spouse, Lucas Hofstra of Spring, Texas; sister-in-law, Hailey Lankford of Spring, Texas; step-sister- in-law, Yvonne Wolfe (nee Boulanger) & spouse, Chris Wolfe of Atlanta, Georgia; step-sister-in-law Elyse Boulanger of Atlanta, Georgia; 11 total nieces & nephews as well as countless friends and past co-workers.

Services will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, located at 18000 I-45 S., Conroe, TX 77384. Visitation will be on Friday, April 29, 2016, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM for family only and 5:00 – 8:00 PM for all others. Burial services will be on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 3:00 PM followed by a reception.

For those compelled to do so, memorial contributions may be made to The Jim Birner Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/2nz5ykp8.