Joel Thomas James

Joel Thomas James ended his courageous battle with illness to be at peace on March 16th, 2022. He was 66 years old, born on August 11th, 1955 in Houston, TX to parents Jerry Wayne and Joanna Fay James.

Joel's father was very fond of their days spent out on the Little League baseball fields learning to pitch and making memories. Joel grew up in Houston and graduated from Magnolia High School in 1973. He enlisted in the United States Navy at age 19 and honorably served through 1976. After his discharge from service, he relocated to Corpus Christi, TX where he spent a 35-year career at AOC Welding Supply before retiring as Branch Manager. In that time, he met the love of his life, Linda Kay Barrett, whom he married on June 11th, 1984. They raised their family in Flour Bluff, TX, attending countless Hornet baseball, football, volleyball games and track meets.

Joel was a man of love and had many loves in his life. He had a passion for the great outdoors, making any excuse to pile everyone in the car and head to the family property on Lake Mathis to catch some catfish. He was an avid lover of sports, particularly golf and baseball, and was a dedicated Houston Astros fan. But his favorite sport was always whatever one his children or grandchildren were playing in that moment, and he was as present as he could be for every single event. Joel loved to be on a motorcycle as much as he loved shining the chrome on one. He spent most of his adult life in the motorcycle community and owned and rode a “scooter” into his sixties.

Joel leaves behind a legacy of love and family, but also of courage, perseverance, and tenacity to make every moment count. He was affectionately referred to as “Uncle” Joel to many others than just his nieces and nephews, for his ability to make you feel like family the moment you walked into the same room. A man of many one-liners, he had a humorous anecdote for every situation and a genuinely jolly smile and laugh to accompany them.

Joel is preceded in death by his wife of 21 years, Linda Kay James (Barrett), as well as his parents Jerry Wayne James, Joanna Fay James (Sifford) and brother Loel Allen James. He is survived by his brother Gary Neil James and family of Houston, TX, son Brandon Lee Barrett and Tracy of San Antonio, TX, daughter Rachel DeAnn Snodgrass (Barrett) and Benjamin of Corpus Christi, TX, grandchildren Ryan Edward Barrett and Matthew Robert Barrett of San Antonio, TX, KayLee Renee Snodgrass and Kamron Riley Snodgrass of Corpus Christi, TX, nephew Kelly James Popp of Corpus Christi, TX, and his loving dog “Wynona”.

Burial Service will be held for family at Duncan Cemetery, 2496 Debra Lane, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 on Thursday, March 31st, 2022 at 2:00pm.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 429 Glenoak Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 on Friday, April 1st, 2022 at 12:00pm.

*In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family through this link: https://gofund.me/995c28d6

Joel is entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel-Everhart, 4901 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX, 78411.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CageMillsFuneralDirectors.com for the James family.