Jim Waters

He is survived by one daughter, Sue Ryan and husband Tom of Richardson, Texas; one son, Jeff Waters and wife Susan of Olive Branch, MS; 3 granddaughters, Lisa Walling and her husband Matt and Lori Zitzelberger and her husband Terry, both of Rowlett, TX, and Allison Waters of Olive Branch, MS; and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Robin Waters; and wife, Beth Murphey Waters. They were married for 49-1/2 years; she passed away in June 2008.

Mr. Waters joined the United States Army on March 13, 1941 and went to the South Pacific from March of 1943 until November of 1945, where he served with the Army's 208 MP Company. After the war he moved to Lufkin on February 12, 1947, where he went in the insurance business as an Independent agent until 2009. He was a charter member of the Lufkin Kiwanis Club when it was started on March 17, 1947 with perfect attendance for over 62 years. He served as president in 1956 and Lt. Gov. of the East Texas Region in 1957. He was elected Mayor in April of 1959 and served four 2-year terms until April 1967. While mayor, he served one term on the Texas Municipal Board of Texas. He was an active member of Lufkin's First Baptist Church since March 1, 1947.

Pallbearers will be Scott McIlveene, Mark Gray, Charlie Kimney, Mike Free, Clint Reed, Kent Walker, Roger Parker and Pat Murphey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Woody Gann, David Walker, Sam Griffin, John Kennedy, Ray Scott, Walter Steel; Members of the Kiwanis Club and Members of the Adult 1 Sunday School Class of Lufkin's First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lufkin's First Baptist Church, 106 E. Bremond, Lufkin, Texas 75901; or to the Kiwanis College Scholarship Fund.

Services for Mr. Waters will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2011 at Lufkin's First Baptist Church, with Dr. Andrew G. Pittman officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Lufkin's First Baptist Church.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home