Our zip code ends in "57".  Every time I WRITE IT, TYPE IT, SAY IT, OR HEREIT I think of Achilles.  I played behind Jim for two years at UT, 1969 AND 1970, so many memories were in that context.  I learned from watching him, but never could make a
deep snap with the velocity and accuracy as Jim.

Learned and shared outside of football also, for many years.  We were each married with kids during those years.   He was the only other one married, a father, going to class, working, and playing football (at the same position).  A good role model.

He and the company he left behind have carried our liability insurance for 45 years.  From college days on I would often check in with him relative to financial security and independence relative to our families.  Never did agree 100% how that was defined.

One time, probably in our mid 40's, we met for lunch.   I opened the conversation with "Jim, I finally did it...I've become financially independent and have enough savings for the rest of my life".   For the first time I can remember he was without words. When he recovered he asked how it happened.  I said, " Jim it's not that hard.  you just spend less than you make for 25 years....and plan on dying within a year".

Many fond memories.

Jeff Zapalac

In our little neck of Spring Branch, Jim exceeded the 105-pound weight limit to play football on a local pee-wee team called the Indians, coached by Joe Abbott and Bill Wyman Sr. So, briefly, Jim got left out of football -- but not for long, as the record shows. Few may know Jim's father, Jim Sr., and my father, Bill McDonald, coached our pee-wee baseball team -- the mighty Rockets -- in games at Schwartz Park next to Landrum Junior High. To his teammates, Jim was "Jumbo Jimbo," best pitcher in the league. Never saw a 10-year-old kid sweat like that. Didn't realize it at the time, but from an early age, Jim was showing us how to commit and how to compete. From Midland, Texas, my heart and prayers go out to Jim's brother Joe, all his siblings, to Jim's wife Jan and to the entire Achilles family. I was one of the lucky ones. I knew Jim Achilles.

Weed Corley Fish Parkcrest

James Achilles

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OBITUARY

James E. Achilles Jr.

August 6, 1949 – November 7, 2018

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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