Sunday, February 27, 2011

Bruce L. James (July 13, 1920 - February 21, 2011)


Funeral services for Bruce L James are set for Saturday February 26, 2011 at 10 am at the Coffman Funeral Home Chapel in Jasper, Ark with the Pastor Vernon Fowler officiating. Burial will follow in Jasper Cemetery under the direction of Coffman Funeral Home. Bruce L. James, 90, was born July 13, 1920 in Newton County, Arkansas. He was the oldest boy of twelve children born to Dewey and Velma James. He married Ella Mae Hayes July, 1947 in Marshall, Texas. Bruce entered active service on August 29, 1942 and received training as a Medical Non Commissioned Officer. He was assigned to the 67th Evacuation Hospital, 3rd U. S. Army. His unit landed on Utah Beach, Normandy on June 17, 1944. The Hospital was set up throughout France and Germany before being setup at Malmedy, Belgium in support of the Battle of the Bulge. He was discharged from the service on November 25, 1945 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bruce started a career with Halliburton Services after returning from World War II. He was District Superintendent with Halliburton and worked in several cities in Texas. He retired after 27 years of service and he and Ella Mae moved to Marshall, Texas. During his time in Gainesville, he was active in the community, serving in his church, Rotary Club and as President of the Leopard Booster Club. He loved sports including Leopard football and was a staunch Arkansas Razorback fan. As an avid golfer, his regular group of Gainesville golfers was named the “Thundering Herd”. He enjoyed doing everything with family including hunting, fishing and get-togethers. He was a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of the local chapter of American Petroleum Institute. He is survived by his wife, Ella Mae of Gainesville, Texas; son, Tommy James and wife, Kay of Gainesville; son, David James and fiancĂ©, Deborah Vaughan of Chandler, Texas and son, Steve James of Gainesville; grandchildren, Lori Prestage and husband, Randy of Gainesville; Lindsay Dodson and husband, Colby of Gainesville; Jason James and wife, Libby of Krum, Texas; Ashton James of Pilot Point, Texas and Nikki James of Tyler, Texas. Great Grandchildren include Landon Prestage, Kennedy Dodson, Jaxon James, Madison James, Hudson James, Aaron Swindle and Hunter Swindle; brothers, Lytle James ,Gerald James; Lex James and sisters, Hazel Peoples, Goldie Knotts , Sue Nell Morris and Jean Hudson . He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Vala Butts and brothers Tom James, George James and Harold James.
Visitation will be at George J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home in Gainesville, TX on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00. You may sign the on-line registry at www.geojcarroll.com.
Visitation at Coffman Funeral Home in Jasper will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 25, 2011.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cooke County Home Hospice

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