Roll Call Tribute
James "Jim" McLemore '49 August 25, 2017 9:50 AM updated: August 25, 2017 9:53 AM
Published in Corpus-Christi Caller-Times on Aug. 24, 2017
James Earl (Jim) McLemore(1929 - 2017)
James Earl McLemore
Corpus Christi, TX
James Earl McLemore (Jim), age 88, passed away Monday, August 21, 2017. Jim was born Sunday, January 6, 1929 in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas to Jesse Leon McLemore and Willie Irene Hendrix. They lived in Elllis County, Texas, in and around Ennis and Waxahachie.
During his life the family lived in many towns in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas as they followed their Dad who worked on many road and levee construction jobs in those states.
Jim attended Vidalia High School, Vidalia, Louisiana, where he played on the state ranked basketball team. He also played cornet in the high school band. Flicka was the horse Jim was so proud to ride to school.
He graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was in the Army ROTC Corps of Cadets, Company "F", class of '49. During his freshman year his outfit was the first to earn the "General Moore" award for best unit in the corps.
After his marriage to Patricia Ann Scott in 1949, he came to Corpus Christi to begin his 46 year career in the Highway and Heavy Construction Industry. He began work with the Texas Highway Department District 16.
Active in professional organizations, Jim was a member of Texas Society of Professional Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Texas Hot Mix Association, serving as Director from 1983-85 and President in 1984.
In 1983 he became a Catholic and he and Pat served as Eucharistic Ministers for many years at Corpus Christi Cathedral and St. Pius X Church. Jim served in the International Order of Alhambra as Grand Commander in 2000.
Jim will be remembered as a gentle and kind man. His loving nature could be felt by all who associated with him. He was an early riser and one who would go extra miles on a road trip just to look at new sections of roads or interesting bridges.
He instilled a firm work ethic in his children and they knew he expected their best efforts in whatever they pursued. His love for his family was his reason for living. He loved the Lord and wanted them to share in that love, too.
James was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Scott McLemore, his brothers Jack H. McLemore and Jesse Leon McLemore, Jr.,nephew, Jack H. Mclemore, Jr. and his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Patricia, daughters: Catheryn Ann (Cathy) & Don Bonifay and Mary Elizabeth (Mimi) McLemore, grandchildren: Wayne Christopher Bonifay & Betsy Simpkins, Shawn Elizabeth Bonifay, Allison Dawn Bonifay & Thomas Percival, Kathleen Marie & Levi Fifield, and Julie Ann Bonifay; great grandsons: Lincoln Shawn Thompson and Ari Mateo Bonifay Percival; great granddaughter Amalie Jane Fifield; sister, Dorothy Jean McLemore Faulkenheiner, brother, Robert Wayne McLemore & Linda, sisters-in-law: Bernice McLemore and Mary McLemore, and several nieces and nephews.
Family will receive visitors Friday, August 25 from 6pm to 7pm followed by a Rosary at 7pm at Seaside Reid Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church Saturday, August 26 at 1:00 p.m., 5620 Gollihar Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412. Interment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park.
Pall bearers: Alfred Hesse, Norman Paris, James Osborne, Doug Odle, Blake Olaven, Delbert Hooper and Joe Skrobarczyk.
Honorary Pallbearers: Sam Ferrris, St. Pius X Men's Club members, Alhambra #78 members.
The family would like to thank those who cared for Jim:
The nursing staff of New Century Hospice, especially Belinda, Aimee and Ericka, for their gentle and loving care; his kind doctor, James Stefan Walker and nurse Linda Cardenas and Alfred Allen.
Clergy and staff of St. Pius X, especially Father Paul Hesse, members of The Quilt Guild, Eucharistic Ministers, Men's Club and fellow members of Journey to Damascus #119.
Donations may be made in Jim's memory to St. Pius X Church, 5620 Gollihar Road, Corpus Christi, Tx. 78412.
To share words of comfort with the family please visit: www.seasidefuneral.com
James Earl (Jim) McLemore(1929 - 2017)
James Earl McLemore
Corpus Christi, TX
James Earl McLemore (Jim), age 88, passed away Monday, August 21, 2017. Jim was born Sunday, January 6, 1929 in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas to Jesse Leon McLemore and Willie Irene Hendrix. They lived in Elllis County, Texas, in and around Ennis and Waxahachie.
During his life the family lived in many towns in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas as they followed their Dad who worked on many road and levee construction jobs in those states.
Jim attended Vidalia High School, Vidalia, Louisiana, where he played on the state ranked basketball team. He also played cornet in the high school band. Flicka was the horse Jim was so proud to ride to school.
He graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was in the Army ROTC Corps of Cadets, Company "F", class of '49. During his freshman year his outfit was the first to earn the "General Moore" award for best unit in the corps.
After his marriage to Patricia Ann Scott in 1949, he came to Corpus Christi to begin his 46 year career in the Highway and Heavy Construction Industry. He began work with the Texas Highway Department District 16.
Active in professional organizations, Jim was a member of Texas Society of Professional Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Texas Hot Mix Association, serving as Director from 1983-85 and President in 1984.
In 1983 he became a Catholic and he and Pat served as Eucharistic Ministers for many years at Corpus Christi Cathedral and St. Pius X Church. Jim served in the International Order of Alhambra as Grand Commander in 2000.
Jim will be remembered as a gentle and kind man. His loving nature could be felt by all who associated with him. He was an early riser and one who would go extra miles on a road trip just to look at new sections of roads or interesting bridges.
He instilled a firm work ethic in his children and they knew he expected their best efforts in whatever they pursued. His love for his family was his reason for living. He loved the Lord and wanted them to share in that love, too.
James was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Scott McLemore, his brothers Jack H. McLemore and Jesse Leon McLemore, Jr.,nephew, Jack H. Mclemore, Jr. and his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Patricia, daughters: Catheryn Ann (Cathy) & Don Bonifay and Mary Elizabeth (Mimi) McLemore, grandchildren: Wayne Christopher Bonifay & Betsy Simpkins, Shawn Elizabeth Bonifay, Allison Dawn Bonifay & Thomas Percival, Kathleen Marie & Levi Fifield, and Julie Ann Bonifay; great grandsons: Lincoln Shawn Thompson and Ari Mateo Bonifay Percival; great granddaughter Amalie Jane Fifield; sister, Dorothy Jean McLemore Faulkenheiner, brother, Robert Wayne McLemore & Linda, sisters-in-law: Bernice McLemore and Mary McLemore, and several nieces and nephews.
Family will receive visitors Friday, August 25 from 6pm to 7pm followed by a Rosary at 7pm at Seaside Reid Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church Saturday, August 26 at 1:00 p.m., 5620 Gollihar Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412. Interment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park.
Pall bearers: Alfred Hesse, Norman Paris, James Osborne, Doug Odle, Blake Olaven, Delbert Hooper and Joe Skrobarczyk.
Honorary Pallbearers: Sam Ferrris, St. Pius X Men's Club members, Alhambra #78 members.
The family would like to thank those who cared for Jim:
The nursing staff of New Century Hospice, especially Belinda, Aimee and Ericka, for their gentle and loving care; his kind doctor, James Stefan Walker and nurse Linda Cardenas and Alfred Allen.
Clergy and staff of St. Pius X, especially Father Paul Hesse, members of The Quilt Guild, Eucharistic Ministers, Men's Club and fellow members of Journey to Damascus #119.
Donations may be made in Jim's memory to St. Pius X Church, 5620 Gollihar Road, Corpus Christi, Tx. 78412.
To share words of comfort with the family please visit: www.seasidefuneral.com
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