James Gray Uhler's Obituary
James Gray Uhler, lifelong train enthusiast and master craftsman, father, friend, and Papa, passed away peacefully at home Monday, November 20, 2023. His battle with dementia finally over.
James was born on August 24, 1936 to the late Edward T and Lucetta Uhler in Jonestown, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Ephrata High School in 1954, then moved to Texas to attend LeTourneau University, graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree. It was there that he met, then later married Mary Lee White on July 29, 1956. They honeymooned in Galveston, Texas and returned each year for the next 67 years to celebrate their anniversary.
James and Lee enjoyed traveling, especially by train. He was passionate about his model trains and was a member of the Loblolly Train Association. He also loved working in his shop crafting things out of wood, as well as singing with the SPEBSQSA Barbershop chorus and The Sabine River Tune Shiners quartet.
Jim was employed by Texas Eastman Kodak Company for 32 years, but always longed to work for the railroad. Instead, he bought a Santa Fe Caboose and put it in his front yard. He was a faithful member of Mobberly Baptist Church where he led an Evangelism Explosion team, sang in the church choir, greeted each Sunday, and drove the parking lot golf cart.
James will be remembered and missed here on Earth by his wife Mary Lee Uhler, sister Debbie Uhler, sister-in-law Nancy Ballard and husband Cyril, daughters and sons in law Rhonda and Billy Steele, Rocky and Dub Jester, granddaughters, Kristin Hampton and husband Wade, Kandi Buck and husband Coleman, Kyrie Dichard and husband Chad, Abby Jester-Randall and husband Mitch, and Alyssa Jester, Patrick Jester and wife Lindsay, Colby Jester and wife Megan, great-grandchildren Kamren, Kaden, Kashten, Brick, Issac, Georgia, Sam, Eli, and Dakota, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. Jim and Lee also had four adopted daughters, Karen Williams, Julie Ray, Vickie Shipp, and Vanessa Cox.
He was welcomed in Heaven by his parents, brothers Ray Uhler and Edward Uhler, and sisters Margaret Uhler and June Uhler.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 27, 2023 at Mobberly Baptist Church in “The Crossing” at 10 am with visitation preceding the service at 9 am. Online condolences can be left at https//www.raderfh.com.
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