James McQueen Easterling, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, the 16th of March 2024. Born on the 23rd of September 1940, in Corpus Christi, TX, “Big Jim” or “Tree” as friends affectionately called him, developed a love for the outdoors at an early age. As a youngster he spent most of his free time fishing the waters of the Texas coast. In one instance Jim feigned an illness to miss school so he could participate in a fishing tournament. Upon winning the tournament, his picture was in the local newspaper, revealing the truth behind his absence.
Jim graduated from W.B. Ray High School before attending the University of Texas where he also received a law degree and was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1964, Jim met the love of his life: Sally Ann Galvin. Jim proposed to the California beauty six weeks later. The two married on the 6th of August 1966, in Beverly Hills, California, and remained lovebirds for 57 years. Their faith and their love story were the cornerstone of building a family rich with love and laughter.
Jim and Sally moved to Houston in 1969 where Jim pursued a career in real estate. He spent the majority of his professional life as an apartment developer, building projects across the Sun Belt states as well as the Woodlands. Jim was also involved in numerous organizations, including the Fraternal Order of St. Hubertus and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Jim’s three passions in life were his family, hunting, and fishing. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Jim made every member of his family a priority, often traveling with them anywhere he could. Jim especially loved quail hunting in South Texas with his family. We would be remiss if we did not mention that he was a fantastic shot!
Jim especially loved fly fishing, and during the early '90s began organizing small groups of friends for trips to exotic destinations. He became a lanky Pied Piper waving a magic wand - usually a 9-foot eight weight with a fast taper. Jim would meticulously research locations and lodges and seasons, and invariably pick a winner. From the Seychelles to Chile, Argentina to Christmas Island, British Columbia to the Bahamas, the "Easterling Group" was a coveted roster assured of a prime week. A standout for 25 consecutive years was the trip to Alaska's Bristol Bay fly-out streams for trophy rainbow trout. Big Jim was blessed with many of life's great rewards, but angling excursions with longtime friends to pristine waters surely rate among the greatest.
His family and friends will always remember him for his faith, extraordinary kindness and generosity, great sense of humor, love of people, and gift of story telling. Always at the ready with pictures of fish he had caught to share (whether you were interested or not), Jim will be missed beyond measure because to know Jim was to love Jim.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Orlowski and his entire team at MD Anderson’s Myeloma Center for the incredible care that they provided Jim over the past six years. While the doctors at MDA succeeded in achieving remission for him, God had other plans for Jim.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James McQueen Easterling, Sr. and Judith Cargile. Jim is survived by his sister, Anne Cain of New Orleans; his beloved wife, Sally; his four children: Kelley Easterling Hawkins of Austin; Brandon Easterling of Austin and his wife, Leslie; Christian Easterling of Houston and his wife, Kate; and Whitney Sharman of Houston and her husband, Joe; his eight grandchildren: Madeline Hawkins, John D. Hawkins, Holden Easterling, Browning Easterling, Reese Easterling, Sloan Easterling, Harrison Easterling, and Scotty Sharman.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 25th of March, in the grand foyer and library of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
A memorial service is to be conducted at three o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 26th of March, in the sanctuary of St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where The Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. Rector, is to officiate.
Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.
Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Jim’s memory may be directed to MD Anderson Orlowski Myeloma Research, 1220 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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