James L. “Big Jim” Luther passed away May 21, 2018. He was born in Ft. Worth on May 15, 1928 to Doris Dunbar and L.W. Luther. Big Jim attended Ft. Worth schools and graduated from Polytechnic High School. He lied about his age and joined the U.S. Navy, receiving his high school diploma by mail while deployed in the Pacific Theatre.
Big Jim was a “frogman”, the precursor to the Navy Seals, assigned to the USS Mt. McKinley during World War II. He was the Golden Gloves Boxing champion of the Pacific Theatre.
Big Jim returned to Ft. Worth after the war and went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. He moved his family to Burnet in 1954 when he bought the Burnet Telephone Company.
Big Jim was an active business and community leader in Burnet for over 60 years. He served on a variety of boards and associations in the Burnet community including Burnet Chamber of Commerce, Burnet Planning Board, Highland Tourist Association and Sheppard Memorial Hospital Board to name a few. He was especially proud of his recent work with Hill Country Crimestoppers.
Big Jim was a Past Master of Valley Lodge 175 and was due to receive his 65 year pin. He was a 32nd degree Mason, Shriner, and member of the Eastern Star.
Big Jim is survived by his wife, Sissy, son Jim Luther, Jr. and wife Sara Ann, daughters Tina Luther and husband Chris, and Leslie Luther, step-daughters Wendy McCaig and husband Chris and Cindy Sinclair and husband Mark, and brother Frank Luther and wife Delores. He is also survived by grandchildren Daniel Lucksinger and wife Annette, Jess and Hunter Luther, Caitlin, Kristen and Caroline McCaig, and Alan Marchese and great-grandchildren Emmi and Stone Lucksinger. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Kevin Marchese.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to consider a donation to the Hill Country Community Foundation, or Hill Country Crimestoppers.
Visitation will be held Thursday May 24, 2018 at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
Funeral service will be held Friday May 25, 2018 at 10:00 am at the Vanderveer St. Church of Christ.
Arrangements were made by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet.
Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxburnet.com
