Larry Keith James' Obituary
Larry Keith James
Larry Keith James was born November 1, 1929 in Edgewood, Texas, to Fred and Ella Rhea James. He graduated from Edgewood High School, and went onto Henderson County Junior College in Athens, Texas. Then Larry went on to Stephen F Austin University where he played football on a scholarship. While going to Stephen F Austin University, Larry married Maxine Barrett in Nacogdoches, Texas on September 24, 1950. After graduating from Stephen F Austin, he taught and coached for a short time at East Mountain Schools, and then he coached and taught History at Pine Tree Schools for 36 years.
Larry loved his family very much, and enjoyed his time with his children as well as his four grandchildren, and new great-granddaughter. He loved attending all their activities. He loved all his students, and was loved by them also. He touched many lives through his coaching and teaching. His church, First Baptist of Longview where he served as a deacon, was a very important part of his life. Larry loved the Lord with all his heart. He was also very well known as an avid fisherman, and a great hunter. Outdoors was his passion, and he would spend many hours with his brothers on their land farming.
The family would like to thank Debra McCormick and Ashley Wilson of Murphy, Texas for all the love and wonderful care they gave to Larry for the last year and half. They were truly a blessing to him and his family. And, a thank you goes to Ann Young who would come each week and help him paint his beautiful pictures which many of his family and friends now own. He was a wonderful artist, and he loved this time each week with her. The family would also like to thank the Compass Hospice care that took great care of Larry, and checked on him weekly.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ella Rhea James, wife, Maxine Barrett James, and his brother, Billy Fred James.
Larry is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Herman Bell of Hallsville, Texas, and Lisa and Barry Jordan of Royse City, Texas; grandchildren, Larry Keith Bell, Brittany Bell, Taylor Jordan, and Jared Jordan; great-granddaughter, Naomi Grace Bell; brother and sister-in-law Gene and Yvonne James of Mineola, sister-in-law, Barbara James of Wills Point, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon Friday, December 5, 2014, in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview with the Reverend David English officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Edgewood, TX. Visitation will be from 11:00 to 12:00 prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or www.pdf.org.
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