Bobby ‘Bob’ Royce James
Bobby “Bob” Royce James passed from this life to his eternal home Nov. 16, 2018. He and twin sister Betty were born to Jesse Frank James and Della Letha Sewell James on March 25, 1934, in Davis, Okla.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 19, at First Baptist Church in Teague with Brother Scott Matthews and Floyd Hoke officiating. Interment was in the Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were John Paul Martin, Trent Long, Greg Pryor, Tyler James, Trevor James and Tommy Hoke. Honorary pallbearers were be Dennis Kaddatz, Joseph James, Cameron Gunnels and Oliver Gunnels.
Bob married Gail Hoke on Nov. 11, 1960, in Richards, Texas; they were blessed with three children and shared 58 years of marriage.
Bob accepted Jesus as his Savior at the age of 24 in a boxcar in Richards. He was ordained deacon by First Baptist Church in Teague at the age of
30. He served in many other areas of ministry throughout the years. He taught Sunday school and served on many committees, but what he loved most was working with the youth alongside Shannon Hopkin. What thrilled him more than anything was seeing people accept Christ as their Savior. To him, that was the ultimate joy!
Bob was a hard-working man and always made sure his family was well taken care of. He loved his family with his whole heart and at times worked two jobs. He loved taking the family on vacations, sometimes camping and just enjoying nature. He was always supportive of his children in their activities and pursuits. He was a wonderful father to his children, a loving grandfather to his grandchildren and oh so proud of his three great-grandchildren.
Bob had a keen and oftentimes hilarious sense of humor that diffused tense situations, occasionally. Fortunately, he passed his wit on to his children and grandchildren.
Bob came to Texas the day after graduating from high school and went to work for the railroad in Fort Worth. While working there, he was drafted into the Army and served his time at Fort Sill, Okla. He was awarded a Certificate of Proficiency from the U.S. Army Artillery and Guided Missile School, prior to being honorably discharged Dec. 3, 1958. He returned to work for the railroad as a signal maintainer and later became an engineer. His railroad career spanned almost 50 years.
Bob was a proud member of The Waco Striders running club in the 1970s and early 1980s. He excelled in races from the 5K run to marathons. He qualified for the Boston Marathon twice.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Diana Renee Ortiz; three brothers, Glenn, Jesse and Floyd James; and three sisters, Beatrice Allmon, Kate Foster and Geneva Herndon.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Gail James; son, Troy James and wife Debbie of Allen; daughter, Delinda “Lyn” Kaddatz and husband Dennis of Hillsboro; son-in-law, Arturo “Art” Ortiz of Cedar Park; brother, Bill James of Choctaw, OK; and twin sister, Betty Rose of Oklahoma City; grandchildren, Lindsey Martin and husband John of San Antonio; Spencer Gunnels and husband Cameron of Cheyenne, WY; Cecily Ortiz, Joseph James and Sabrina Ortiz; great-grandchildren, Macen Martin, Oliver and Valkyrie Gunnels; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob worked many jobs, starting at an early age, but the most rewarding were the years he spent working for Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home and being a part of the Blair-Stubbs family.
Please visit www.blairstubbs.com to leave a message of condolence or sign the guest book.
