Jimmy Lara

Jim (Jimmy) Lara born May 15, 1952, of Balmorhea Texas went to be with the Lord on February 1, 2022, at his residence in Odessa, Texas.

Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, February 4, 2022, also at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Isidro Ponce officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Lara was born in Balmorhea to Dave (David) Lara and Elvira Leyva on May 15, 1952, along with twin brother, Frank L Lara. He worked at H&S valve for 14 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, David, and Elvira Lara; brother, Frank L Lara; and sister, Josephina Moldenaro.

He is survived by wife, Dora Gamboa Lara; 2 daughters, Jennifer G Lara, and Jessica G Lara; 3 sons, Jimmy G Lara Jr., Jason G Lara, and Jeffery G Lara; daughters-in-law, Crystal, Mary Luz, and Paula; sons-in-law, Ryan, and David; sisters, Jesusita Granado, and Manda Tarango; brothers, Carlos Lara, and Ruben Lara; grandchildren, Monica Nunez, Jimmy Lara III, Emily Lara, Melissa Rangel, David Jimmy Lara, Emarie Lara, Jason Lara Jr., and Joey Lara; as well as 12 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Lara Jr., Jeffery Lara, Jason Lara, Jimmy Lara III, David Lara, Ryan Proffitt, David Sierra, Rapheal Rangel, Alex Nunez, and Edward Hernandez.

A brief history: it all began with Anton Diedrick Dutchover from Antwerp, Belgium born in the year 1820, and arrived alone in Galveston around the age of 12.

He came to America right at the beginning of the Mexican War. He enlisted in the Army, and the recruiting sergeant said, “You can’t even speak English. You’re Dutch all over.” And his name was written down on the regimented rolls as Diedrick Dutchallover. He kept the name [later shortened to Dutchover] and came here as a stagecoach guard, married a Mexican woman, and they have 11 children, one of which was Belen Dutchover, who then married Gabriel Lara. Their child was Dave (David) Lara, Mr. Lara’s dad…. half the people in Fort Davis are related to the Dutchovers.

The Lara family wishes to extend a very sincere and special thank you to Les and Beth Littlejohn for all you have done.