James Bradshaw Earthman III

James Bradshaw Earthman, III, was born in Houston, Texas on September 21, 1934 and died November 28, 2024 in Galveston, Texas. He was 90 years old. A fifth generation Texan he was the first of nine children born to J. B. and Blanche Earthman. He was educated at St. Thomas High School in Houston, received a BBA in Banking and Finance from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law Houston. Founder of the Law Offices of Jim Earthman and Associates PC, he held memberships in the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association and American Bar Association. He served as the organizer and director of two Houston area banks - Citizens National Bank of Texas (now Bank of Texas) and Community National Bank (now Prosperity Bank). He was Chairman of Earthman Inc. which was a large funeral organization founded by his grandfather, James B. Earthman, Sr. in 1889.

In 1966, he acquired the Earthman Farm which was originally established in 1830 by his great, great grandfather, Henry Earthman. In 1967, he restored the present farmhouse that was built in 1877 and that house now bears a Texas Historical Marker. During time spent at the farm, he enjoyed cutting grass on his tractor and entertaining family. One of his fondest memories was riding his horse in the 4th of July parade in Round Top, Texas.

In 1968 he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Harris County. He was one of the first Republicans to be elected to this office. His most notable achievement was being a member of the bi-partisan reform group, known in Texas history as “The Dirty Thirty”.

He was enormously proud of his family ancestry and was a member of the following organizations – The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (ancestor, Isaac Earthman), The Sons of the Republic of Texas (ancestor Henry Earthman), and Sons of Confederate Veterans (ancestor Isaac Young Earthman). He also served as President of the Texas Navy Association.

In 1978, after completing liturgical and theological training at St. Mary’s seminary, he was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop John L. Morkovsky. He served at the following parishes in Houston – St. Theresa, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Cecilia. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He retired from the active ministry and all business-related activities in 1989 when he moved to Galveston. His retirement proved to be short-lived.

After moving to Galveston, he became the founding President of the Republican support group known as the Galveston Pachyderm Club. In time, it grew to be the largest Pachyderm Club in the United States. He founded a real estate investment company, Galveston Capital Corporation, with headquarters in the historic Galveston Cotton Exchange Building. A building which he later purchased supporting his long-time interest in historic preservation. His company bought and restored many Galveston buildings including Eiband’s and J. C. Penny’s on Postoffice Street. He received numerous awards for his efforts in the restoration of downtown Galveston. The Eiband’s building became the largest antique store in Galveston and was the centerpiece of numerous Art Walk events.

As a member of the Galveston Artillery Club, he was elected President in 1999 and continued to serve on the Board of Directors for 20 consecutive years as its Historian. He was an active member of the Knights of Momus serving as its President in 1998 and as King Frivolous LXXXVIII of Galveston Mardi Gras in 2003.

He was elected to the Moody National Bank Board of Directors in 2013 and served as the Chairman of the Trust Committee. He was active in the community and has served in the following capacities – UTMB Development Board, Chairman of the Annual Giving Committee; Vice President of the UTMB President’s Cabinet; Chairman of the City of Galveston Downtown Revitalization Committee; Trustee of the William Temple Episcopal Foundation; Member of the Trinity Episcopal School Education and Excellence Committee; Chairman of Galveston Historical Foundation Endowment Fund and Chairman of the Development Committee; Board Member of The Grand 1894 Opera House and Director of the Development Committee; Executive Committee Member of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership; Member of the UTMB Sealy Society; Member of the National Trust Council of Washington, DC; Member of the Rosenberg Library Board of Trustees; Member of the University of Texas Chancellor’s Council; Co-Chairman of the Catholic Charities of Galveston; Trustee of the San Jacinto Monument Museum of History; President of the Menard Society; a lifetime member of the Lafitte Society; and a lifetime member of The Bryan Museum Old 300.

He and his wife of seventeen years, Cynthia Wolma Earthman, enjoyed travels to Europe, the Holy Land, Mexico, Central and South America and Cuba. He especially enjoyed his many travels with National Trust for Historic Preservation where he was able to tour historic places that were not open for public tours. He also loved entertaining family and friends at his home in the Colorado Rockies where he could sit on his porch and enjoy the views of Mount Sopris and the breathtaking sunsets.

He is preceded in death by wife, Margaret Gaunt Earthman; his son, James B. Earthman IV; daughter, Beth Earthman Hall; and brothers William J. Earthman, Michael R. Earthman, Donald C. Earthman and Robert L Earthman.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Wolma Earthman; children Dorothy (Sissy) Earthman Lappin and husband Mark; Kathleen (Katie) Earthman Cullen and husband Harry; William J. Earthman; John B. Earthman and wife Michele; Addie Earthman Pappous and husband Norman; and Dr. Jennifer W. Mike-Mayer and husband Austin. Seventeen grandchildren - Garrett Earthman and wife Abigale; Kyle Earthman and wife Kristen; William J. Earthman Jr.; James Bradshaw Earthman V; Leah Lappin Sheehy and husband Patrick; Nick Lappin and wife Audrey; Katherine Earthman; Mary Earthman; Harry Cullen and wife Lilly; Hugh Roy Cullen; Katie Rose Cullen; John David Marion and wife Meg; James Bradshaw Marion; Richard Pappous; Michael Pappous; Myles Mike-Mayer and Mason Mike-Mayer. Seven great grandchildren - Savannah Rose Earthman, Carter Earthman, Jack Earthman, Mia Earthman, Oliver Sheehy, Harry Cullen and Camilla Cullen. His brothers Dr. Thomas Earthman and wife Brigid; John A. Earthman, Bruce Earthman and wife Pam; his sister Blanche Earthman Morello and husband Charlie; and his sister-in-law, Jerrie Earthman.

Pall bearers are Bruce Earthman, Mark Lappin, Norman Pappous, Austin Mike-Mayer, James Galbraith and James Ware. Honorary pall bearers are Harry Cullen Jr., Fred Burns, Diaz Murray and Gene Hornstein.

A visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a Vigil at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1302 Broadway, in Galveston, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, December 5, 2024 also at Sacred Heart, where the Rev. Michael G. Earthman is to serve as celebrant. The Rite of Committal is to follow at Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Holy Family Parish of Galveston Capital Campaign.