James "Jim" Hunter Lightfoot

James Hunter “Jim” Lightfoot, who was a loving husband, father and friend, was born to James Herbert Lightfoot and Emily Madeline Strickland in McComb, Mississippi on the 4th of October 1943, and passed away on the 14th of September 2023.

His family moved to Houston when Jim was one year old. He attended Regan High School prior to attending Waltrip High School and was in that school’s very First Graduating Class in 1961. He attended the University of Texas and graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

After college, Jim had a varied and successful business career working for Bud Adams as an accountant at the Astrodome, working for Vince Vallone and Associates in commercial real estate sales and had a long and successful career in sales working for his good friend Ronnie Eubanks at Cannonball Trucking.

He was a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for over 50 Years where he served on the Souvenir Program Committee as Chairman, the School Art Auction, the Ticket Trailer, the School Art, the Steer Auction, the Ranching and Wildlife, and the Lifetime Vice Presidents Committees. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1974 and was elected as a Vice President in 1991 serving under then President Dick Graves.

He was instrumental in the formation of the School Art Auction Committee and supported numerous committees with his time and financial resources. One of his major contributions to the Show that he was most proud of was being a mentor to numerous committee leaders and helping them continue their advancement in the Show and become Chairmen, Directors, and Vice Presidents.

On a fun note that clearly demonstrates Jim’s organizational skills and the knowledge of putting on an event in a first-class manner, is the fact that he was the head of The Damnifino Cooking Team at the Show’s BBQ Cookoff. Many of the Show’s hierarchy chose to be members of this group and enjoy being part of the first-class production that Jim provided every year at this event.

Jim was also involved in numerous other civic and charity organizations serving on the Board of Directors of the of the Bill Williams Capon Dinner, the Board of Directors of the Houston Farm and Ranch Club, the American Cancer Society, and the United Way.

His passions included making friends and enjoying friendships, good food and desserts, card games at Golfcrest Country Club and watching all types of sporting events, perhaps with a friendly wager on the outcome.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Herbert Lightfoot and Emily Madeline Strickland,

stepfather Walter Knox “Kay” Hardeman, and his wife Karen Renee Putnam Lightfoot. He is survived by his son Brian Hunter Lightfoot, his best friend since grade school, Bob Sheldon, close family friend Elise Sartwelle, and numerous other family members and dear friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, October 6th, 2023 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street in Houston.

Honorary Pallbearers are Bill Booher, Larry Deem, Ronnie Eubanks, Mike Moriarty, Jeff Parker,

Jeff Putnam, Pete Ruman and Bob Sheldon.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family asks that friends consider making a charitable contribution in Jim’s honor to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund, ATTN Jamie Voskamp, 3 NRG Park, Houston Tx 77054, or to a charitable organization of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Lightfoot family.