James Dortch Sr.

James Dortch Sr.

January 20, 1932 - November 23, 2021

James (Jimmy/Jim/Daddy, Grandpa, and friend) 89 of Bedias, Texas went to meet our Lord on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.

Jimmy is predeceased by his mother (Minnie Belle Sirles Dortch), father (Millard Wesley Dortch), multiple brothers and sisters, along with one son, James Dortch Jr.

Jimmy is survived by his loving wife Clara Merrill Dortch, three daughters, Clara Evans (Nelson), Valerie Mouhot, Nonie Powers, and son Quint Dortch Sr. (Florence) and one sister Colleen, numerous granddaughters, grandsons, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and beloved dog Midget.

Jimmy was born in Newark, New Jersey and a few years later lost his parents. As a result, he was raised in Bonnie Brea Home for Boys until at 17, he lied about his age and joined the United States Coast Guard. 

He was stationed in Port Isabel, Texas when he met Clara.

After their first child, he was reassigned to Key West, Florida where they had two more children.  After proudly serving our country for 12 years, they moved to the Houston area. That is when the last two children were born.

During his professional career, Jimmy received many awards. At one time he could type more than 120 words per minute on a manual type writer.

After retirement, Jimmy followed his dream of owning a house and property in the country and bought property in Bedias, Texas where he and Clara spent his remaining years.

His children and grandchildren loved his trickster nature. At any family gathering or on trips one could expect to hear him summon the Candy Man with a brown paper bag in hand. The bag would miraculously fill with a candy bar.  The next thing would be his pet mouse.  He kept it in his pocket disguised as a handkerchief. Somehow there it would be snuggled in his arm. Each unsuspecting person would have a chance to pet the mouse and out it would jump. We never tired of that pet mouse.

Watch out God, our daddy might just show you that pet mouse.

Jimmy Dortch Sr. Will be eternally missed.

Pallbearers are the Patriot Guard

Honorary Pallbearers are: Quint Dortch Sr., Kenneth Luedicke, James Dortch III,  Ronnie Bassell, Alvin Hammer, Ronnie Bassell Jr., Quint Dortch II, Daniel Dortch, Mathew Dortch, and Christopher Dortch.

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