Joe Neil James, age 81, of Brownwood died Friday, October 9, 2015 after a short illness.
A memorial service will be held Monday, October 12, at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Brownwood with Doug Holtzclaw and Dr. Rodney McGlothlin officiating. A private burial will be held at Hurst Ranch Cemetery in Hamilton County. Visitation will be Sunday, October 11 at Heartland Funeral Home from 5:00 until 7:00 pm.
Joe was born in Spur, Dickens County, Texas on April 12, 1934 to Ivy Nona York and Jeff Henry James. His ancestors were part of the Old Three Hundred with Stephen F. Austin. He learned early the values of hard work, strength of character, and integrity. The son of a share cropper he worked at many jobs as a young man growing up. He drove a semi-truck across the U.S. at the age of fourteen, worked as a crop duster, and in the oil fields. After graduating from Spur High School in 1951, he received a football scholarship to West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. He transferred to Howard Payne College and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and completed his Masters in 1963.
He received many honors while at Howard Payne. He was selected as an All-American, he was a unanimous All-Conference selection his junior and senior year as well as being voted team captain his junior and senior years. He was a member of the All Texas College team in 1954 and drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1955. He is a member of the Howard Payne Hall of Fame and is a past president of the Letterman’s Association. He served in the National Guard 142 Infantry 36th Division from 1952-1960 and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant.He married Almola Clements, also a Howard Payne graduate, in San Saba in 1954 and began his coaching career in Hamilton in 1955. In 1956 he joined the LaVega High School coaching staff as an assistant coach and after four years became head coach and Athletic Director. In 1964 he became the head coach at Howard Payne. He served the Yellow Jackets for four years and was selected to coach in the Oil Bowl game in Wichita Falls.
Joe went from coaching into the sporting goods business working for Holts Sporting Goods of Waco from 1968-1971, Oshman’s Sporting Goods from 1971-1996 and Athletic Supply 1996-2013. Joe was known throughout Texas as a top flight track official and served as the meet referee for the UIL State Track Meet from 1976-2013.
Joe was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Brownwood and also a deacon.
Survivors include his wife Almola, son David and his wife Lori of Leander, daughter Denise and her husband Chris of Blanket. Three grandchildren: Jordon Boyd. Dillon James and Sam Boyd. Great grandchildren: Riley Boyd, Bella Boyd, Tyson James and Hutson. Others include a brother Bill of Spur, twin sister Marceil of Abilene and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, twin brothers and two sisters.
The James Family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Brownwood Regional Medical Center and the staff at The Chatfield and Oak Ridge nursing home for their compassionate care. They also wish to thank all the great friends who shared their love and condolences during this time.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial be made to First Baptist Church of Brownwood or to Howard Payne University.
Condolences can be offered to the family at heartlandfuneralhome.net.
