Gary Douglas James, 86, of Beaumont, entered eternal life on May 18, 2022, at Christus Southeast Texas - St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. He was born on June 4, 1935, in Minden, Louisiana. He lived in or around Athens, Louisiana and attended school there until 1951 at which time his family moved to Homer, Louisiana. During high school, he played on the varsity football and basketball teams and was awarded Honorable Mention on the All District Basketball team prior to graduating from Homer High School in 1953.
Gary was an Airman First Class and Clerk Typist in the United States Air Force Hedronsec 60th Troop Carrier Wing from 1953-1957 and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas; Frankfurt, Germany; and Dreux, France. He was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Army Occupation Medal (Germany). He attended University of Maryland and Louisiana State University prior to moving to Shreveport as Assistant Credit Manager for Haverty Furniture Company. He worked there until 1962 when he was transferred to the Beaumont store and met the love of his life, whom he called Tricia, while they both worked for Haverty.
Haverty Furniture Company closed the store in Beaumont in 1966 and Gary went to work for Jefferson Chemical Company in Port Neches, which was later bought out by Texaco Chemical Company, and then the Huntsman Corporation. Gary had a 30 year career as an Operator and Central Control Operator prior to retiring on May 1, 1996. The activities he loved most were: fishing, hunting, gardening, 4-wheeling, reading, church, family, and eventually, teaching his grandkids about all these activities. Gary was a Deacon for many years at Pine Burr Baptist Church in Beaumont prior to moving his membership to Beaumont’s First Baptist Church in the 1990s, and he served both churches in many capacities.
Survivors include his wife of almost 60 years, Patricia Lakey James; daughter, Wendy James Ashworth and her husband, Jimmy, of Sour Lake; son, Rory James and his wife, Tanya Lughermo, of Spring; four grandchildren, Kyler Ashworth, Taylor James, Aden James and Bryley James; brother-in-law, Bryan Lakey and his wife, Jean, of Fort Worth; and several nieces and nephews residing in Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his father, Olen Otis James; mother, Margie Lois Spigener James; and brothers, Bobby Gene and Billy Ray James.
A gathering of Mr. James’ family and friends will be held from 10:00-11:30am on Friday, May 27, 2022 at Forest Lawn, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont. A graveside service will be held at 11:30am on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the Rose Garden at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Beaumont’s First Baptist Church, 3739 N. Major Dr., Beaumont, TX 77713.
