James Elwin Farris

James Elwin Farris was born on December 12, 1926 in the West Sandy Community of Walker County. He went to be with the Lord Thursday, December 3, 2015. His parents were Lee Elwin Farris and Eva Mae Roberts Farris. All of his life was spent in the Huntsville Area. He attended the Huntsville Public Schools and graduated high school in May 1944. Upon high school graduation, James attended Sam Houston State College where he graduated with a degree in Vocational Agriculture. After graduation, he was employed by Huntsville Public Schools to teach agriculture. When he attended Sam Houston State, James met the the love of his life, Norma Caldwell, and married her on May 25, 1947. James continued his education and received a Master’s Degree in Ag Education in August 1960. In the mid-1960s, James had the opportunity to join the First National Bank of Huntsville, Texas, as a Vice President and Loan Officer. In a short period of time, James was elected to the board of directors and served there until his retirement in the Fall of 1980. At this point, James and Norma opened their real estate sales office in Huntsville. They operated this business until 2005. In the Spring of 2005, James and Norma retired from real estate sales and have spent the remainder of their time in the ranching business. James served as a member of the Fellowship of Huntsville Church and has served in this church for the last 15 years. James was preceded in death by his parents, his son Jim Farris and grandson, Josh Farris. He is survived by his wife Norma of 68 years, daughter Marla Atkinson and husband Herb Atkinson, daughter-in-law Cindy Farris, granddaughter Elizabeth (Beth) Ryan and husband Zack Ryan, granddaughter Mindy Jensen-Tanner and husband Adam Jensen-Tanner, all of Roswell, New Mexico; grandson James Robert (Jim Bob) Farris and wife Sarah; great grandchildren Belle and Kate Ryan, Eli, Faith and Rowan Jensen-Tanner, Keegan and Jackson Farris. He is also survived by his sisters, Lucille Benthall of Huntsville and husband Fred L. Benthall; Eva Jean Callaham and husband David L. Callaham of Madisonville; and Winnie Sandel and husband Joe B. Sandel of Huntsville and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, December 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The service will be held at Fellowship of Huntsville at 2:00 pm, Sunday, December 6, 2015. The burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Evergreen, Texas. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com. The family request that any memorials be made to Fellowship of Huntsville Church at PO Box 1200, Huntsville, Texas 77342 or the Good Shepherd Mission, PO Box 7281, Huntsville, Texas 77342-7281.

James Elwin Farris

December 12, 1926 - December 3, 2015