Tom James

Tom Paul James, 89 of Odessa, a WWII veteran, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 27, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimers. Tom was born in Comanche, Texas February 20th, 1919 to D.A. and Carrie Ewing James, their fourth child and only son. He graduated from Wichita Falls Senior High School in 1936 and attended Hardin Junior College. He made his way to San Diego, California to study Aeronautical Engineering where he worked for Consolidated Bultee Aircraft. When the United States were drawn into World War II, he joined the Army Air Corp and served in the Pacific Campaign as a tech sergeant, aerial engineer, crew chief and tail gunner flying the Dragon Lady B-24 Liberator. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his flight crews courageous efforts to save their plane after losing an engine while still managing to complete their skip bombing mission over Chichi Jima. His crew safely completed 40 missions.

Working for Pitney Bowes in Fort Worth, Texas he met and married Helen Chadwell October 2, 1948. In 1952 they moved to Odessa, Texas and he soon began a long career in fire and casualty insurance working for Motor Carriers Insurance, Murphy and Rochester Insurance Agency and finally founding Tom James Insurance Agency. He and Helen were among the founding members of Highland United Methodist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents D.A. and Carrie James and his sister Alta Mae Childress and is survived by his wife of 59 years Helen Chadwell James of Odessa, his sons Tom P. James Jr. of Odessa and the Rev. Stephen David James and wife Vivian James PhD of Harrisburg, NC; daughter Phyllis Marshall and husband Steve of Odessa; sisters Irys Gwinn of Bedford, TX and Joci James and husband Roy McKinney of Plano, TX; granddaughter Amanda James and grandsons Taylor James of Harrisburg, NC and Jared Marshall of Odessa, TX.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2pm, Monday, March 31st at Highland United Methodist Church in Odessa and burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday, March 30, 2008. Funeral arrangements are handled by Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Home Hospice and Highland United Methodist Church.
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Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Sunday, March 30, 2008
2:00 to 4:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Highland United Methodist Church
1808 N. Dixie Blvd.
Odessa, TX  79761
Monday, March 31, 2008
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

Hospice House Foundation
903 N. Sam Houston Ave.
Odessa, TX  79761

Highland United Methodist Church
1808 N. Dixie Blvd.
Odessa, TX  79761