James R Fouts Jr.

June 21, 1939 – September 27, 2026

James “Jim” Ray Fouts Jr., 87, passed away on September 27, 2026, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at St Timothy of the Northshore (335 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, LA).

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at St. Timothy on the Northshore, with Rev. Josh Elder officiating.

Reception: Following the service

Some lives are measured in years. Others are measured in the people they loved, the lives they influenced, the laughter they shared, and the memories they leave behind.

James Ray Fouts Jr. lived a life rich in all of these.

Born June 21, 1939, in Shreveport, Louisiana, he was Jimmy to his siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews; Jim to most of the world; and Jimbo to his grandchildren.

A lifelong United Methodist and devoted Christian, Jim’s faith was never simply something he professed; it was something he lived. He directed traffic for Vacation Bible School, served on the Missions team preparing food baskets for the holidays, helped send king cakes to service men and women overseas, served as a camp counselor at G.R.A.C.E. Camp, and mentored boys at the Methodist Children’s Home. He also helped raise funds for the Methodist Children’s Home annual golf tournament. At St. Timothy, he was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class.

Jim graduated from C.E. Byrd High School and Centenary College before beginning a long career with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company, from which he eventually retired. He arrived in St. Tammany Parish in 1976, where he would spend much of the rest of his life and become a longtime resident of Mandeville.

His high school sweetheart, Wanda Joyce Rose, became his first wife. They married while Jim was attending Centenary College and had three children together—Dennis, David, and Roseanne. Their marriage eventually ended, but Wanda remained an important part of Jim’s story and the mother of his three children.

He later found love again with Patricia LaGrange Fouts, with whom he shared 43 wonderful years of marriage. He often said he had been blessed to have had two great loves in his lifetime.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor.

Jim loved a good debate. He had strong opinions and was not always easy to persuade, but he believed fairness meant taking the time to look for the other side, even when he ultimately disagreed.

And Jim loved to have fun. His humor was loud and unmistakable, but never performed for an audience. He simply loved to laugh, have fun, and tease the people he loved, usually with a mischievous grin.

He loved music—not just the melodies, but the words. He especially loved hymns and classic country, particularly songs with simple melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and stories about love, faith, heartache, and life. He admired a well-written song and appreciated the craft of a gifted songwriter. He even remembered attending

the Louisiana Hayride during its heyday. Music was simply part of Jim’s life; he didn’t talk about his love of it with everyone, but those who knew him well knew how much it meant to him.

Jim was generous with his time and resources and had a particular affection for young people. He spent many years coaching and refereeing youth soccer, encouraging players both on and off the field and teaching lessons about teamwork, discipline, and fairness.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Sarah Stovall Fouts and James R. Fouts Sr.; his brother, Edwin Fouts; his grandson, Jacob Allen Gillespie; and his beloved wife, Patricia.

He is survived by his children, Dennis Fouts, David Fouts (Tammy), and Roseanne Borland (Marty); and by the children he welcomed into his life through his marriage to Patricia, Debra Richard, David O’Flynn (Jani), Duane O’Flynn (Vicki), and Donna Williams. He leaves behind grandchildren Andrew and Matthew Richard, Michael Bourgeois, Abagael Lichtenstein, Casey and Colin O’Flynn, Molly Atkinson, Shaun and Erin Williams, Kaz Kean, Kade and Kyle Fouts, Kamryn Brennan, and John David Gillespie, along with 17 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters, Sally Cox and Evelyn Davis (Joe), and his brother, Lonnie Fouts (Jean).

He leaves behind cherished friends, extended family, former players, young men he mentored, colleagues, and many others who were fortunate enough to know him.

On September 27, 2026, Jim’s earthly journey came to an end in Shreveport, the same city where it began 87 years earlier.

There is something beautiful about coming home.

For a man whose life was anchored in faith, death is not the end, but the fulfillment of a promise. Those who loved him will miss his voice, his questions, his debates, his generosity, his teasing, and that unmistakable laugh.

They will miss Jimmy, Jim, and Jimbo.

But his faith remains, as does the love he gave to his family, his friends, and the many lives he touched along the way.

His race is finished. His faith remains. His faithful servant has come home.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Memorial donations may be made to:

Jacob’s Ladder Scholarship Fund

c/o VALEX FCU

P.O. Box 13137

Alexandria, LA 71315

or

the Methodist Children’s Home of Southeast Louisiana

49242 Highway 445

Loranger, LA 7044