James Thomas Cawley

James Thomas Cawley, 96, passed away Monday, Nov. 18, 2013 at home surrounded by his family.
Jim was born to James Washington and Laura Ethel Cawley on August 3, 1917, in Rising Star, Texas. He is one of eight brothers and sisters. Jim has one brother and one sister still surviving. Jim Cawley and his first wife, Ira Merle were married for 62 years. She predeceased Jim in 1997. Jim has three children from his first marriage; James Ira Cawley, Larry Dwayne Cawley and Katherine Nell Bunce. Jim has 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and 1 stepson. Jim was married to Jolinda Lara Cawley at the time of his death.
Jim accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in September 1940 at Trinidad Baptist Church in Trinidad, TX. He became a member of that church. After moving to the Silsbee area he joined and became a member of First Baptist Church of Silsbee for the next 56 years. Jim was ordained as a deacon in 1944 and served as an active deacon until 2001. During this time, he served in many church capacities including: Chairman Deacon Body, Sunday School Superintendent, Finance Committee Chairman, Constitution & By-laws Chairman, Pulpit Committee, Building Ground Committee, Mission Committee and was involved in many other church functions.Jim moved his Church Letter from First Baptist Church of Silsbee, TX in 2003 to become a member of Retta Baptist Church of Burleson, shortly after moving to Mansfield TX in 2002.
Jim has been a member and officer of various organizations such as: A Charter Member of the Lions Club in Spurger, Texas, served as Club President; Member of Kiwanis Club in Silsbee, TX; Chamber of Commerce in Silsbee, TX; Member of the Little Theatre; Member of the Silsbee Coin Club and the Beaumont Coin Club; and a 66 year Member of the Masonic Lodge with a Lifetime Membership.
Jim was Plant Superintendent for ARCO Oil & Gas Company, retired March 1, 1981 after 45 years of continuous service in gas plant work. Jim joined Lone Star Gas Company in Ranger, TX in 1936. For 6 years he served in plant work in Lone Star plants located at Ranger, Eastland, Cisco, Breckenridge and Trinidad, TX. In 1942, he resigned from the Trinidad plant to join American Republic Corporation (a predecessor company of ARCO Oil & Gas Company), and was employed at Joe's Lake Gas Plant in Tyler County. Jim was promoted to Gas Plant Superintendent in 1947 and served in that capacity for 34 years, which included supervision of gas plants and operations at Joe's Lake Gas Plant; South Hampton Gas plant; Merchant Pressure Maintenance Plant; Dickinson Gas Lift Plant; Hull Gas Plant; Bancroft Gas Lift Plant; Silsbee Gas Plant; Spring Gas Plant; Village Mill Remote Absorber; Theuvenins Creek Booster; and Quick Sand Creek Gas Plant. Jim is credited with 39 years of service with ARCO Oil & Gas Company and served at the Silsbee Gas Plant since 1963 until his retirement in 1980.
Jim enjoyed hunting, playing golf, bee keeping and coin collecting. He was deeply devoted to his family and church during his life. He was blessed having experienced many events in our history. One such event was when he went to enlist in the Navy. There were no openings in that department of the armed service so they sent him home with the understanding that he had to report every 30 days. His employer at the time actually was responsible for keeping Jim out of the war because his employer needed him because of his knowledge in oil and gas. So they kept giving the Navy Department reasons why they should give Jim an extension. During one of those times he had to report to the Navy his wife Ira Merle gave birth to their only daughter, Katherine Nell. Much to his disappointment, Jim never saw any action.
Jim held many positions and many titles, most recently as a rancher, but he would most like to be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, but most of all as a Man of Integrity.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. Cawley and Laura Ethel Cawley; Brothers: Laddy, Clifton, and Paul; Sisters: Amy Davis and Nona Mae Davis.
Survivors: Jim is survived by his wife of eleven years, Jolinda Cawley; Children: James Ira and wife, Carolyn Cawley; Katherine Nell and husband, Gene Bunce; Larry Dwayne and wife, Terri Cawley; stepson, Guy G. and wife, Michelle V. Gomez; Brother, Aaron and wife, Joyce Cawley; Sister, Villa Greg. Grandchildren: James A. and wife, Nicole Cawley; Shawn and wife, Gina Cawley; Amy B. Cawley; Vance and wife, Cheryl Cawley; Caleb O. Cawley; Jill and husband, John Barker; Chelsea and husband, JB Tippett; Tavia and husband, Jimmy Carlson; Greg Bunce; and Tate and wife; Josie C. Bunce; Great Grandchildren: Morgan Cawley; Joey Cheeks; Colt and wife, Carrie Cheeks; Shalavea Cawley; Thomas Cawley; Quinton Cawley; GiGi Barker; Jeddie Barker; Matthew Bunce; Edge Bunce; Savanja Bunce; Autumn Cawley; Ryder Cawley; Hudson Crites; Harrison Tippett and Hadley Tippett; and Great-Great Grandchild: Colt A. Cheeks, Jr.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Bill Chelette, Lowell Curtis, Ray Frazier, Doyle Jones, Wayne McCarty and Don McWilliams.
Pallbearers are: John Barker, Greg Bunce, Tate Bunce, James A. Cawley,Shawn K. Cawley, and J.C. Davis.