James Edward Padgett

Lovingly known as JE, Jimbo, Grandpa, and Pepaw, Jim was born on November 26, 1930, in Houston to Gladys Mae Burnett and Sam Ellie Padgett. He grew up with his older brother, William, and younger sister, Doris.

Jim rode a horse to school in his early years. As he liked to tell it, he also walked barefoot through the snow, uphill both ways. In 1943, at age 13, he bought his first car and began driving to school. It was there that he met the love of his life, Joyce Louise Pointer, in 1946.

Jim graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Applied Science in June 1954. He and Joyce married on June 6, 1954, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 59 years. On August 25, 1954, Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in France. He was honorably discharged on July 28, 1956. His engineering career spanned more than 30 years and took him to Singapore, Indonesia, and Alaska.

In 1959, Jim and Joyce joined an adoption waiting list. On July 30, 1960, they received a call that newborn twins needed a home. Joyce’s response: “TWINS? Are you kidding me?” Jim was able to talk her into two children, and Kathy Laura Padgett and Kenneth James Padgett, were officially adopted on September 30, 1960.

Jim was kind, considerate, technically gifted, and known for his great sense of humor. He and Joyce shared a love of travel that took them around the world. At home, he enjoyed learning about the lottery and the stock market, fixing computers, and tinkering with electronics.

When Joyce was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1989, caring for her became his priority. For more than two decades, Jim cared for her in their home until her passing on March 21, 2013. His devotion to Joyce reflected the depth of his love and the kind of man he was.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce; his parents, Gladys Mae Burnett and Sam Ellie Padgett; his brother, William Padgett; and his sister, Doris Padgett Brouse.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Laura Acres, and her husband, Sherman; and his son, Kenneth James Padgett, and his wife, Stacy.

He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Shannon Killian; Amanda McCoy and her husband, John; Paige Wize and her husband, Nick; Kristen Reeves and her wife, Leila; and Shannon Reeves and her wife, Mackenzie. His seven great-grandchildren are Michael, Callie, Brianna, Leah, Annabelle, Kylie, and Brayden.

Jim will be remembered with love for his kindness, his humor, and his devotion to his family.