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Roll Call Tribute
James "Jim" Westbrook '37 June 8, 2015 9:12 AM updated: June 8, 2015 9:14 AM
Published in GoSanAngelo on June 7, 2015
James Harrison Westbrook
James Harrison Westbrook
San Angelo, TX
James Harrison (Jim) Westbrook passed into the greater life on June 5, 2015 in San Angelo.
Jim was born on his father's Meadow Brook Farm near Waco, Texas on July 26, 1916. The son of Titus Carr Westbrook and Mabel Battle Westbrook, he spent his boyhood years on the Westbrook Plantation in Lorena, Texas. James' grandparents, Charles A. Westbrook and Virginia Whitsitt Westbrook, established the plantation on South Cow Bayou shortly after Charles' return from his service in the Confederate cavalry. When the railroad was built through the area, the resulting town was named after their daughter Lorena.
After graduation from Lorena High School, Jim attended the A&M College of Texas where he graduated in 1937 with a degree in Agriculture Administration and a reserve commission as a second lieutenant (cavalry) in the US Army. While at Texas A&M he was a member of the Ross Volunteers and Cadet Company Commander, of C Troop, cavalry.
Soon after her graduation from Baylor University in 1939, he married Pauline Witte of Waco; daughter of Dr. Wallis S. Witte and Mrs. Lillian Cox Witte.
After an interlude managing Central Texas farm lands for the Franklin Company, he entered on active duty in 1940 with the 5th Cavalry Regiment; an active duty, mounted cavalry unit. He would, for evermore, be proud of having been a genuine "horse soldier". Jim and Pauline lived the army life at various posts including Fort Clark, Camp Hood (later Fort Hood), and Fort Bliss in Texas, Fort Riley, Kansas and Camp Claibourne, Louisiana. With the advent of World War II, cavalry horses were replaced with motor vehicles but Jim's cavalry training was utilized when he was assigned as commander of the Recon Company for the 691st Battalion, 1st Tank Destroyer Brigade. His unit was attached to General Patton's Third Army Group and entered France in late July 1944 at the floating docks on Utah beach. He saw action in France, Luxemburg, Belgium and Germany. During the final weeks of the war he was attached to Brigade Headquarters as a combat liaison officer. Jim was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and the recipient of the Purple Heart. He left active duty in 1945 with the rank of Captain.
Shortly after leaving military service, Jim was mentored by his brother, Charles, in the retail lumber business in San Antonio. In 1947 Jim and Pauline relocated to San Angelo where they established the J.H. Westbrook Lumber Company. Until his retirement in 1986 Jim was active in managing the lumber company and, as a building contractor, constructed many homes in the San Angelo area.
Jim was a long-time member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and later The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. He served both congregations as a member of the vestry and Junior and Senior Wardens. At his death he was a member of The Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd. Until recent years Jim, an avid outdoorsman, was still hunting with family and friends. He was a member of the General Tom Green Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
He was preceded in death by his wife Pauline with whom he enjoyed 68 years of marriage. Also preceding him were three brothers: Titus Carr Westbrook Jr., Charles Alexander Westbrook and Thomas Battle Westbrook. He is survived by his daughter Lillian W. (Wally) Green and husband James Green Jr., son Charles A. Westbrook and wife Linda H. Westbrook and grandchildren Sarah Prinsloo and husband Mark Prinsloo, Emily K. Westbrook and James T. Westbrook.
The family will be forever grateful for the nearly three decades of skilled and caring medical care provided by Dr. Steven McCloy, his assistant Julie and their staff. The dedicated staff of Concho Valley Home Health assisted Jim and Pauline in their everyday lives for over 10 years. In his final years his life was brightened and enriched by the loving staff and residents at Brookdale Senior Living (formerly Myrtlewood).
A Church service will be held on Monday June 8th, 10 a.m. at Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd. Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery.
Friends and family may sign an online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in San Angelo, or a charity of your choice .
Funeral Home
Johnson's Funeral Home
435 West Beauregard San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 655-3113
James Harrison Westbrook
James Harrison Westbrook
San Angelo, TX
James Harrison (Jim) Westbrook passed into the greater life on June 5, 2015 in San Angelo.
Jim was born on his father's Meadow Brook Farm near Waco, Texas on July 26, 1916. The son of Titus Carr Westbrook and Mabel Battle Westbrook, he spent his boyhood years on the Westbrook Plantation in Lorena, Texas. James' grandparents, Charles A. Westbrook and Virginia Whitsitt Westbrook, established the plantation on South Cow Bayou shortly after Charles' return from his service in the Confederate cavalry. When the railroad was built through the area, the resulting town was named after their daughter Lorena.
After graduation from Lorena High School, Jim attended the A&M College of Texas where he graduated in 1937 with a degree in Agriculture Administration and a reserve commission as a second lieutenant (cavalry) in the US Army. While at Texas A&M he was a member of the Ross Volunteers and Cadet Company Commander, of C Troop, cavalry.
Soon after her graduation from Baylor University in 1939, he married Pauline Witte of Waco; daughter of Dr. Wallis S. Witte and Mrs. Lillian Cox Witte.
After an interlude managing Central Texas farm lands for the Franklin Company, he entered on active duty in 1940 with the 5th Cavalry Regiment; an active duty, mounted cavalry unit. He would, for evermore, be proud of having been a genuine "horse soldier". Jim and Pauline lived the army life at various posts including Fort Clark, Camp Hood (later Fort Hood), and Fort Bliss in Texas, Fort Riley, Kansas and Camp Claibourne, Louisiana. With the advent of World War II, cavalry horses were replaced with motor vehicles but Jim's cavalry training was utilized when he was assigned as commander of the Recon Company for the 691st Battalion, 1st Tank Destroyer Brigade. His unit was attached to General Patton's Third Army Group and entered France in late July 1944 at the floating docks on Utah beach. He saw action in France, Luxemburg, Belgium and Germany. During the final weeks of the war he was attached to Brigade Headquarters as a combat liaison officer. Jim was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and the recipient of the Purple Heart. He left active duty in 1945 with the rank of Captain.
Shortly after leaving military service, Jim was mentored by his brother, Charles, in the retail lumber business in San Antonio. In 1947 Jim and Pauline relocated to San Angelo where they established the J.H. Westbrook Lumber Company. Until his retirement in 1986 Jim was active in managing the lumber company and, as a building contractor, constructed many homes in the San Angelo area.
Jim was a long-time member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and later The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. He served both congregations as a member of the vestry and Junior and Senior Wardens. At his death he was a member of The Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd. Until recent years Jim, an avid outdoorsman, was still hunting with family and friends. He was a member of the General Tom Green Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
He was preceded in death by his wife Pauline with whom he enjoyed 68 years of marriage. Also preceding him were three brothers: Titus Carr Westbrook Jr., Charles Alexander Westbrook and Thomas Battle Westbrook. He is survived by his daughter Lillian W. (Wally) Green and husband James Green Jr., son Charles A. Westbrook and wife Linda H. Westbrook and grandchildren Sarah Prinsloo and husband Mark Prinsloo, Emily K. Westbrook and James T. Westbrook.
The family will be forever grateful for the nearly three decades of skilled and caring medical care provided by Dr. Steven McCloy, his assistant Julie and their staff. The dedicated staff of Concho Valley Home Health assisted Jim and Pauline in their everyday lives for over 10 years. In his final years his life was brightened and enriched by the loving staff and residents at Brookdale Senior Living (formerly Myrtlewood).
A Church service will be held on Monday June 8th, 10 a.m. at Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd. Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery.
Friends and family may sign an online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in San Angelo, or a charity of your choice .
Funeral Home
Johnson's Funeral Home
435 West Beauregard San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 655-3113
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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