Ben Arlen James

Funeral services for Ben Arlen James, 89, of Lufkin will be held Friday, May 4, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Doyle Hodge and Reverend W.R. “Dub” Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitehouse Cemetery.

Mr. James was born January 18, 1929 in Huntington, Texas to the late Bertha Francis (Burns) and Willie James, Sr., and died Tuesday, May 1, 2018 in a local hospice facility.

Mr. James was a lifetime resident of Angelina County. He attended elementary school in Huntington with George Jones. Mr. James voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army before he was of legal age because he wanted to serve his country along with his brothers, cousins and friends during World War II. His military career ended when Momma found out where he was. Mr. James retired from the City of Lufkin Water Utilities Department following 26 years of employment.

Mr. James was an avid hunter and fisherman. In his younger years he was a boxer and a bull rider. He coached youth baseball for several years. Mr. James spoiled his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Christine (Jenkins) James of Lufkin; sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Karen James of Lufkin, Frank and Marion James of Nacogdoches, Joe James and fiancée Beate Shive of Germany; daughter-in-law, Gail James Rayborn of Diboll; granddaughters, Jennifer James and husband SFC Josh Fisher, U.S. Army of Germany, Jessica James and Catherine Uribis, both of Corrigan; grandsons, Jimmy James and wife Natsha, Micheal James, all of Houston, Daniel James of Corrigan, Zachery James and wife Kellie of Shenandoah, Iowa, and Caleb James of Omaha, Nebraska; special granddaughter, Cathy Hodge of Leggett; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Richard James and David James; infant son, Robert James; grandson, Delton Alan James; granddaughter, Vanessa James; sister, Syble Mae Renfro; and brothers, Charlie Frank James, John D. James, Herman James, Willie James, Jr., and Harl James.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy James, Micheal James, Zachery James, Caleb James, Elton James, Johnny James, David Thompson, and great-granddaughter, Heather James.

Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Wade James, Gavin Coodey, Logan Roberts, and Hunter Glenn James.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Hemophilia Foundation, Attn: Development Department, 7 Penn Plaza, Suite 1204, New York, New York 10001 or the American Cancer Society, 212 Gene Samford Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.