James "Jimmy" Lawrence Massey

James Lawrence Massey, known as the son of Homer Lawrence and Evelyn Marie Massey of Gainesville, Texas. Survivors include his two son’s Brentley Lawrence and Ryan Kyle Massey of Anna, Texas, daughter in law Amber Starr Massey of Anna, Texas the wife of Brentley, his precious grand - daughter Brooklyn Starr Massey of Anna, Texas, and his sister Susan Eppler of Plano, Texas.

Our family was blessed with this incredible man of faith and honored by his complete dedication to those that he loved. Every aspect of his life was lived out through humility of putting everyone before himself.

This man I called dad, was a selfless soul that I now call my best friend. He left this earth to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 10:23 am. God gave us the opportunity to celebrate his 73 ^rd birthday here on earth before passing him onto his heavenly birthday just weeks after. Dad is now celebrating on the highest of mountain tops with Jesus and all those that he’s longed to see again.

He was born and raised in Gainesville, Texas and graduated high school there and then went to Texas Tech University to receive a degree in business. During his life “James” had two jobs that he talked about the most and those two jobs were his time at “Dowell Oil” as an oil field employee and sometime after graduation at Texas Tech he was offered a job at “Travelers Insurance” where he worked for 35 plus years and retired. My brother and I enjoyed going to work with him while we were young and having the chance to observe a work ethic that we now can carry out in our own life.

My father was a private person and there were few that knew his inner most parts. Dad exemplified humility like no one else I know. Faith was evident by his walk as he served in many areas of life in different ministries such as a deacon at “First Baptist Church of Plano”, Involvement and Chaplain with the “Gideons”, Texas Baptist Men for Disaster Relief, and through the “Bill Glass Prison Ministry”.

He enjoyed reading, learning, telling stories, and jokes. One of his best jokes was about the fish he caught while out fishing in his boat. He was often challenged on his fishing stories and his excuse would always end by saying…they jumped out of the live wells! Another adventure that he loved most was his travels to the mountains of Colorado. Other hobbies and adventures he enjoyed were livestock shows, rodeos, driving around in the country, eating lots of chocolate, watching his grandchild play and making faces at her, and simply enjoying the simplicity of life by wanting to be around those that he loved and enjoyed most. Also, he enjoyed sitting out on the porch swinging, watching football, baseball, and watching the birds, horses, cows and other creatures at his home at “Starr Ranch” in Anna, Texas.

My dad was the easiest person to be around and to satisfy because earthly treasures were far from his mind. All that mattered to him was being close to family or in peaceful settings that allowed him to take in the fresh air of creation and hear voices of those that were willing to talk to him.

I can only imagine where my dad is in heaven right now and if I had to guess he’s sitting by Grandpa and Grandma by a river deep down in the valleys of the mountain tops laughing, catching up on stories, and fishing.

There will be a visitation from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Allen Family Funeral Options.

A Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at the Allen Family Funeral Options Chapel.

Burial will follow at 1:30 pm at Fairview Cemetery, 710 Fair Avenue, Gainesville, Texas.

If it is your wish, the family suggests memorial donations,  in Jimmy's name, be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), 912 Lillian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047, Phone: 404-418-7396 or LBDA.org/donate.