James C. Baumgardner "PaPa"'s Obituary
An Obituary Honoring
James Carlos Baumgardner
James Baumgardner was called to be with his Lord and Savior, and a heavenly family reunion on March 15, 2025. At his passing, he was surrounded with his loving family by his side.
James Baumgardner was born December 22, 1931 to the union of Carl and Margaret Patterson Baumgardner in Gurdon, Arkansas. James was the second born of five siblings. James received a Christian upbringing growing up on a farm near Gurdon. He sought baptism at an early age and this coupled with strong family values, and farming exposure would serve to influence and carry forward in his life. James graduated from Okolona High School in 1950. He left Gurdon to move to the Houston, Texas area to work with an uncle in the nearby oil refineries until being called back home to Gurdon to answer a draft notice and call to duty during the Korean War era. When James returned to Gurdon, and just prior to his active service call, he met his future bride-to-be, Sue Presley. They were later wed and he departed for active service shortly thereafter. He served his Country honorably in the capacity as an MP to the time of his discharge from service in 1954. At this time, he returned stateside and began residing in Texas. James chose to attend LeTourneau University to further his education.
James retired from the freight transportation industry, which led to a career at Texas State Department of Transportation, and a final retirement.
During his 56 years of marriage to Sue, they were blessed with 4 children; Les, IdaSue, Janet, and Henry. Their four children led James and Sue to be further blessed by four grandchildren: Rebecca & husband Aaron, Derek & wife Adriane, Ryan & wife Elizabeth, and Dillon & wife Destiny; 13 great-grandchildren: Joseph & wife Alex, Ethan, Landen, Drake, Avery, DJ, Madeline, Bane, Stella, Henry, Bennett, Peyton, and Kora; and 3 great-great-grandchildren: Corey, Arabella, and James.
James was a gentle, soft-spoken man, who never met a stranger. Spending time with family and at family reunions brought great joy to him and those that surrounded him. He continued to enjoy farming as a hobby and sharing the results with those around him. In addition, James continued playing his Hohner harmonica, that he had taken up during the Korean War era, to the delight of all his grandkids and others. It brought him great joy to see the smiles and happiness it brought others when he played his harmonica.
James was preceded in death by his loving, faithful wife Sue, son Henry, parents Carl & Margaret Baumgardner, brothers Preston Baumgardner, Everyn Baumgardner, sister Janine & husband Charles MacKenzie, and sister Elizabeth & husband Bob Schenke.
Survivors include his children and their spouses: Les & Kathy Baumgardner, Ida & Kirk Aycock, Janet & John Adams, and multiple grandkids as previously named, sisters-in-law Ruby Baumgardner (wife of Preston) and Becky Baumgardner (wife of Everyn), as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held March 19, 2025 from 5 to 7 pm and again March 20, 2025 at 9 am immediately preceding funeral services to begin at 10 am all conducted at Rader Funeral Home, Longview, TX with Pastor Randy Graham officiating.
Burial will be at Rosewood Park following services.
Pallbearers
Ryan Baumgardner, Derek Baumgardner, Dillon Haltom, Drake Haltom,
Ethan Aycock, Landen Aycock
Honorary Pallbearers
Les Baumgardner & Joseph Skaggs
- In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation to aid in researching this disease that affects families nationwide.
Special thanks to Hospice Plus, Premier Home Health, and Pastor Randy Graham & East Mountain Baptist Church for all the help, comfort, guidance, prayers, and support.
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