He was a native of San Antonio, Texas and had been a lifelong resident of Orange, Texas before moving to Vinton in 2002. James enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, deer hunting with his daughter, playing video poker and bingo, and was a world traveler having visited Australia, Europe, Hawaii, Canada, Alaska, among other distant places. He attended Lamar Technical School and went on to become a Master Machinist, starting his career with Boise Cascade. He retired from Inland Orange after many years of service. He was a plural member and Past Master of Madison Masonic Lodge #126 in Orange, Texas, Vinton Masonic Lodge #364, El Mina Shriners, Scottish Rite, and Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star #214 in Orange, Texas.
Survivors include his current wife, Evelyn Ann Cupp-Fouts of Orange, Texas; his children, Mark Fouts and Ruth Fouts, both of Orange, Texas, and John Fouts of West Texas; his step-daughters, Melanie Dupre and husband, Danny of Vinton, and Cindy Perritt and husband, Joel of Longview, Texas; his grandchildren, Sarah Sonier and husband, Ryan, and Merideth Menard and fiance', Stephen Droddy; step-grandchildren, Chad Maggio, Dustin Dupre, Kyle Dupre, Jacob Perritt, and Jackson Perritt; great-grandchildren, Emma Graham, Ryder Sonier, Sophie Luckey, and Sterling Luckey; step-great-grandchildren, Pressley and Liberty; his niece, Deborah Rash of Kansas; and nephew, James D. Fouts of Missouri. He is preceded in death by his late wife, Ida Pearl Fouts; his parents, Weldon and Minna Fouts; his brother, David E. Fouts; and a great-granddaughter, Cassandra Luckey.
His funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 14, in Hixson Funeral Home of Vinton. The Rev. Rusty Dollar will officiate. Burial will be in Big Woods Cemetery in Edgerly. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday and from noon until time of service Thursday in the funeral home. Words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
