James "J.W." Winston Cairnes

James Winston “Jim”, loving known as “Papa” Cairnes, 82, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2010 with his family at his side. The family will gather for a time of visitation and fellowship on Thursday, December 9, 2010 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North IH 35, Georgetown, Texas. A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 1:00 PM at Mission Cemetery South, 1700 S. E. Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas. Jim was born November 6, 1928 in Welder, Texas to the late Jack and Minnie Inez Gray Cairnes. He is also preceded by his first wife and the mother of his three sons, Billie Jean Cairnes; his second wife and the mother of three children, Beverly Cairnes in 1998; his brother, John Buddy Cairnes; and his grandson, Brandon Roy Cairnes. Jim served honorably in the United States Air Force and the Reserves. He served during the Korean War and retired from the reserves in 1974 as a Major. Jim married Billie Jean in 1952 and they were happily married until her passing in 1966. Jim received his first Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Tarleton State University in 1949. He went on to achieve his second Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in Agricultural Science in 1952. He later went on to achieve his Masters degree in Education. Jim worked and put himself through college driving back and forth to College Station every weekend. He had his first teaching position in the AG departments at Hereford, Texas and Abernathy, Texas. Jim came to Georgetown ISD in 1956; he worked as an AG teacher for many years before moving into Administration for Georgetown ISD, he retired in 1990. Jim had many attributes that he will be remembered for by his friends and loved ones, he was a diehard Aggie fan and was proud of the Aggies successful football season this year. Enjoyed spending time hunting the whitetail deer, he did so for over 60 years. Jim was also known for his ability to make beautiful jewelry and the fact that if it was not a FORD it was not worth having. Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving children Mike Cairnes and his wife Patsy of Florence, Mark Cairnes of Louisiana, Maury Winston Cairnes and his wife Yvonne of Liberty Hill, Sherry Graham and her husband Garry of Troy, Sandra Valkenaar and her husband Jimmy Billy of Cedar Park, and Casey Winters and his wife Tina of Belton; his sisters, Mae Remschel of Houston and Margaret Broussard and her husband Remus of Kerrville; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Jim touched the lives of many young people over his extensive career. His family will remember him fondly as always being “there for you” and treating his children evenly and fair. Serving as pallbearers will be George Cairnes, John Valkenaar, Kurt Mavis, Philip Duffey, James Patrick Cairnes, Remus Broussard, and Blake Curtis. Honorary pallbearers are, John Holmstrom, Carl Holmstrom, Bert Holmstrom, Al Kaufman, Charles Schneider, and John Schneider. Personal words of comfort can be sent to the family online at www.gabrielsfuneral.com.