James Labrie Edwards

James Labrie (Jim) Edwards, 77, of Craft’s Prairie, Texas near Bastrop died peacefully at home on May 26, 2012 following a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born in Houston on September 8, 1934 as the only child of Vernon L. (Cy) and Edna Edwards. Jim was in the class of 1953 at San Jacinto High School in Houston, Texas. After serving in the Navy aboard a minesweeper during the Korean War, Jim attended the University of Houston and then went to work for the Humble Oil and Refining Company. During the early 1960’s, he was a police officer with the West University Police Department before returning to Humble Oil, which became Exxon. Jim retired from Exxon after 30 years with the company having worked in various capacities for several subsidiary companies; Esso Production Research, Exxon Minerals and finally, Friendswood Development Company. Following retirement, Jim moved to his family farm near Bastrop where he raised registered Red Brangus cattle. Jim was a 32nd Degree Mason, a Life Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a Life Member of the Farm & Ranch Club and devoted much of his time to various groups and causes over the years including, the Boy Scouts, the Smithville FFA and the Bastrop Heifer Futurity. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra Eccles Edwards, by his son Steve Edwards and wife Carol Walker Edwards of Katy, by his daughter, Carrie Edwards Keathley and husband Steve Keathley of Clear Lake, and by his daughter Dawn Edwards Bahr and husband Chuck Bahr of Highland Village. He is also survived by grandchildren Ryan Keathley and wife Megan, Mike Keathley, Alexandra Edwards and Conrad and Mathew Bahr. Jim’s grandchildren will act as his pallbearers. A private graveside service will be held at the Claiborne Family Cemetery on Craft’s Prairie Road on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 10 AM. Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service that will follow at 2 PM at St. James Episcopal Church, 156 North Monroe Street, La Grange, Texas 78945 with Rev. Daryl Hay officiating. Visitation will on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 from 6 to 8 PM at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home, 2079 Highway 71 East, Bastrop, Texas 78602. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 156 North Monroe Street, La Grange, Texas 78945; Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759; or American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.