James Love Jr

James Allen Love, Jr, was born on August 18, 1941, in Greenville, Texas, to James A. Love and Edgar Pearl Love (Sunshine). Welcomed to the family later were Benjamin Preston and Joseph Edgar. Stories from Sunshine state that as a child Jim had a knack for taking objects apart and re-assembling them, which grew into a passion for cars throughout his life. His other avocations included running track, education for the military, sales, singing, and playing in high school and college bands. While Jim was a student at Tarleton State College, he was attracted to a fellow band member, Mary Catherine Winslar; no one can say who pursued whom at Tarleton. Among the tests Jim passed were activities such as fishing and hunting in Gatesville with Mary's father, J. O., and other relatives. Marriage in 1964 followed after Jim obtained his degree in mathematics. The University of Texas at El Paso was the site for his Master of Science in 1970 in Mechanical Engineering. Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Home of the Field Artillery, would host the Love family for three nonconsecutive tours of army duty beginning in 1964, where two of three children were born, James and Catherine. Elizabeth was later born in New Jersey. As with many military families, social activities were important in assignments; this was certainly true while Jim served as Professor of ROTC at Western Kentucky University in the early 1970s. In addition to church worship and choir, he enjoyed jogging with the family dog. Jim's military career spanned 21 years with two tours in Vietnam as well as rewarding duty at the Pentagon, resulting in numerous medals and commendations. Memories include close friendships each time his family was reassigned. Retirement in Texas called to Jim with consulting and sales representative careers. An active member of Bannockburn Baptist Church, he enjoyed boating, barbecues with the family, gardening, golf, and cherished friends in Austin. Later in life Jim's retail background led him to own and operate an antique store in Center Point, TX, the Heart of the Hill Country. An amazing honor came in 2011 from the Tarleton Athletic Hall of Fame induction to honor track records set by Jim in years 1960 to 1964. In 2013 Mary and Jim moved to Plano, Texas, to reside at Sunrise of Plano. Jim is survived by his loving wife Mary Catherine Winslar Love, children James Allen Love, III, Catherine Marie Thurman and her husband Wade, Elizabeth Ann Grimsley and her husband Ben, grandchildren Matthew and Mary Thurman, Naomi and David Love and William Grimsley with one grandchild on the way, "daughter by choice" Shannon Love, brothers Dr. Ben Love and his wife Laura, Joe Love and his wife Laura, also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Retired Lt. Col. James Allen Love, Jr. will receive full military honors on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Sunrise of Plano, 4800 W Parker Rd., Plano, Texas 75093