Orena James

Ruth James, born Orena Ruth Proctor to Warren Christopher Columbus Proctor and Avie Stella James Proctor in Neosho, Missouri and lifelong resident of Junction, Texas, was called home on Good Friday, April 18, 2014, at the age of 92 years, seven months, and 17 days.

Ruths parents moved from Missouri to Fort Worth and then after her fathers death in 1923, the family moved to San Marcos where she spent her childhood, attending school there and entering college at Southwest Texas State Teachers College, now called Texas State University. She graduated from high school at an unusually young age, and likewise completed her college education at a young age. During this time she also completed flight training and became a licensed pilot, certainly one of the first generation of women pilots. Upon graduation from SWTSTC Ruth accepted a teaching position at Junction High School, where she taught home economics, sometimes to students her age or older. She met Raymond Pickett James in that community, and they were married on June 21, 1942. Only a few months after their wedding, Raymond or Buckshot as he was known, answered the nations call and after basic training deployed to the European theater, serving there with the U.S. Army and in England, North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. After VE day, Buckshot returned to New York by steamer and travelled by train to Texas where he was discharged, and Ruth was reunited with her new husband after three years separation.

Ruth continued her teaching, and Buckshot began his banking career, which spanned over 50 years, first in the Junction National Bank and later as President of the First State Bank. They purchased a fishing camp on the South Llano, moving there in the spring of 1948 and operating the camp as the Triple R for more than 25 years while raising their three children.

Ruth was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Junction, quietly strong in her faith and always active in the local church and community, even after Buckshot passed away in 1994, in the 52nd year of their marriage. She was a charter member of the Daedalian Study Club, and enjoyed study, fellowship, and service activities with that organization throughout her years in Junction, as well as frequent bridge games with many friends and neighbors. She always felt the call to serve others, and being blessed with good health, a strong disposition and the opportunity, regularly delivered meals on wheels to Junction residents sometimes 20 years her junior. In her late 80s, Ruth looked for a change in lifestyle, moving to Plano, renting an apartment near her daughter, Rena. There, she fully enjoyed an urban lifestyle, dining out, playing bridge, going to movie theaters, and even joining a country club. As always she also continued serve weekly as a volunteer in a local hospital even past her 90th birthday, and worshiped regularly at her new church home, Saint Andrews United Methodist Church.

In addition to her sisters Anna Frost of Austin and Clara Beth Urban of Rockwall, Ruth is survived by her family of three children, nine grandchildren, and five greatgrandchildren. She will be missed by all in this family, which includes Ray and Marianne James of College Station, and their family Reuben and Melissa James of Buda and children Audrey Evelyn, Christopher Henry, and Allen Raymond, Ryan James of Houston, Justin James of Houston, Travis and Cortney James of Cypress and their son Elliot Ray, and Megan James of Austin Randy and Pat James of San Diego, California and their family, Rebecca and Max Fitzmaurice of Kansas City, Missouri and son Korben James, and Robert James of Santa Barbara, California and Rena and Richard Ramey of Richardson and their family, Royce and Aimee Ramey of Dallas and Russell Ramey of Dallas.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, April 28, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Junction with Rev. Steve Fieldcamp officiating. Interment will follow in Junction City Cemetery. ation will be held 46:00 PM, Sunday, April 27, 2014 at Kimble Funeral Home.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kimble Funeral Home. 325 4463076

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