James Robert Gwin

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Quinnelly Gwin; and daughter, Janice Ruth Gwin. He is survived by his loving wife, Ethel Keith Gwin of San Augustine, TX; daughters, Joyce Lee of Spring, TX, Jill Sheppard and her husband Stan, and Jenta Frick and her husband Randy, both of Sugar Land, TX; and brother, Bobby Gwin and his wife Sara of Mobile, AL. He was Papaw to 7 grandchildren, Spencer, Shelby & Shane Rose, Janice Sheppard, Dakota Medley, and Kelsen and Trace Frick. Bob loved his wife’s family from Mississippi as his own. There has always been a special bond of love with them. This family includes survivors Joyce Wright and her husband Carl of Bentonia, MS, Faye Keith of Hollandale, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob grew up in Appalachicola, Florida, where he graduated high school. He then became a proud member of the United States Navy and a World War II veteran. Bob loved his country. Upon honorable discharge, he graduated from Mississippi College with a B.A. in Bible. He then attended and graduated from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, with a Master's Degree in Theology. Bob then began his 62 years of Ministry service to the Lord. Every congregation where he served was very special to him, and special relationships were made in Appleby, Nederland, Palacios, and in the East Texas area.

Bob was a former member of the Rotary Club of Texas and a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. He was always a staunch supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Bob was a member of the Ministerial Alliance organizations in every community where he served.

You could always catch him watching Houston sports or the Fox News channel! He kept up with the Astros, Rockets, Texans, and way back in the Luv Ya Blue Houston Oiler days. He had a passion for reading, mechanics, and working with his hands. He was always thinking about what he could make next. Bob loved keeping up with his grandchildren’s activities in school and sports. When he could, he would attend their softball, soccer, and baseball games. Recently he enjoyed watching the Kempner Cougar baseball team in their quest for the state tournament. Bob loved his family so much, every congregation where he served, and ALL people. He never knew a stranger and always reached out to people in the community wherever he was. Bob always had a smile on his face and a kind heart of compassion ready to serve.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at 2:30 PM, at Sugar Creek Baptist Church Chapel, 13333 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478, with his final resting place at Hawley Cemetery, in Blessing, Texas, where he will be placed next to his daughter, Janice. Lifelong friend, Brother Tom Hebert, will be officiating. There will also be a community Memorial Service on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at 11:00 AM, at Liberty Hill Baptist Church, San Augustine, TX, and a Special Memorial Service on Sunday, July 15, 2012, at 10:30 AM, at his present pastorate, Camp Springs Baptist Church, Hemphill, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society in his honor.

Special thanks to Dr. Oglesby in San Augustine for taking such good care of him over the years. Thank you also to the congregation of Camp Springs Baptist Church, and to everyone who prayed, sent cards/messages, and loved Bro. Bob!