James "J.P." Preston Dobbs Jr.

James "J.P." Preston Dobbs Jr., age 81, of Garrison, Texas passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022. J.P. was born in Mount Enterprise, Texas on March 9, 1941. He passed from this life on Sunday, Oct 16, 2022 in Garrison, Texas. J.P. was one of four children born to the marriage of Preston Dobbs and Lillie Mae Dobbs. He was schooled in Garrison, Texas graduating with the Bulldog class of 1959. He excelled in sports, especially football. He then obtained his bachelors in finance from Stephen F. Austin State College in 1963. While at Stephen F. Austin, he met and married the love of his life, Sylvia Ann Simpson. They were married at the First Methodist Church in Richardson on July 7, 1962, and they celebrated 60 years of marriage and two children together.

J.P. worked in banking for 41 years before retiring in 2003. He was employed by Commercial State Bank and its successors in Garrison immediately after college, including a period at the Stone Fort National Bank in Nacogdoches. He also served on the board of directors for Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative for 49 years. He was sworn in as president of that board on September 16, 2010 and continued to serve as president until his passing. J.P. also sat on the boards of TXLA, ETEC, and NTEC over the last 12 years. He was an active member of the Garrison Lions Club in his younger years and was awarded Citizen of the Year at the annual Homecoming. Also in younger years, J.P. served as a Garrison City Council Member and was a member of the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department. He was a longtime faithful member of the Garrison First United Methodist Church where he helped with the food pantry and enjoyed fellowship with all who attended.

JP’s interests were vast and varied. He loved riding horses, camping, fishing and hunting. Solving the world’s problems one cup of coffee at a time with his buddies was a high priority, as well as long horse rides with friends. He made multiple hunting and horse-riding trips to Wyoming, Colorado, Big Bend and elsewhere. He was up for anything and was one of the most physically active 81-one-year-olds around. He also had an encyclopedic knowledge of east Texas plants, among many other things, and personally introduced the largest Loblolly Pine tree in the state to many. He was not one to inject himself into others’ business without invitation, but always provided wise counsel when called upon to do so. He was very generous in every way, including with his time. He would do anything he could for someone in need. While he loved the outdoors, his family was by far the most important thing to him. He dearly loved his wife and together they provided a wonderful and happy home and upbringing for their two children, of whom he was very proud. He was the best father his son and daughter could ever have wished for. He also loved his daughter-in-law Kim and son-in-law Art like his own. He was especially proud of his grandchildren and the adults that they have become. They loved how his smile lit up a room and how he was never too old to be silly with them. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with family. J.P and Sylvia hosted a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado this past summer for the entire family, and we cherish that he took the opportunity to address the family, telling each member how proud he was of us and of our family as a whole.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Linda Sue.

Mr. Dobbs was survived by his loving wife, Sylvia; his son Preston (Jim), and wife Kim of Heath; his daughter Kim Horton, and husband Art of Carthage; his sister Joyce Hall Allison of Uvalde; his sister Janie Bryant of Waco; his granddaughter Laura Verden and husband Shelby of Dallas, his grandson Jay Dobbs and wife Eleanor of New Orleans, Louisiana, his granddaughter Caroline McCarty and husband Grant of Tyler; his grandson Luke Horton of College Station; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of dear friends.

Memorial contributions made be made to Garrison First United Methodist Church, 238 W. Main, Garrison, Texas 75946.

A visitation for J.P. will be held Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North St, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965, followed by a funeral service at 2:30 PM.

J.P. will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery , 559 E. Main St, Garrison, TX.

Serving as pallbearers are Jay Dobbs, Luke Horton, Shelby Verden, Grant McCarty, Bill Guidry, John Childs, Clay Beard and Gus Irwin.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com for the Dobbs family.