Born March 13, 1914 at home in Cut and Shoot. Graduated Conroe High although only 11 grades at the time. Worked in oilfields for Brown and Root.

Jim met and married Madell Long Jan. 4, 1941. A year later, he was drafted in Jan. of 1942 following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Once he shipped out with U.S. Army Air Corps, he didn't return stateside for 4 years.  He was a Propeller Mechanic flying with B17 and B25 crews and served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Mid East, Europe. His job was to keep them flying.

It was only near his death at 87, that it was discovered he had flown cover for the D-Day Invasion coming up from Italy. Jim returned home in Dec. of 1944 and went to work for then Humble Oil Company.

He went on to have 3 children; Barbara, Debbie, and Joe. Jim retired to his father’s land in Cut and Shoot, Texas. There he raised cattle and grew tomatoes. He was well known in his community for his generosity.

For his service during WWII, he was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars. He often told his fond wartime memory of how long and how high a B17 had to fly to chill beer.