James Leonard Jacobs

HUGHES SPRINGS - A celebration of life services for James Leonard Jacobs, 89, of Hughes Springs, will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. James Knight and Larry Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in Cornett Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home Inc.

Mr. Jacobs died on Sunday, May 23, 2010, at a Longview hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on April 22, 1921, near Naples, Texas. He was the youngest of nine children born to B.P. and Quincy Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs married Evelyn Hampton on June 20, 1942, and was the love of his life. He was a Methodist, a 32° Mason, a US Army Veteran of WWII,  a farmer, fisherman, musician and retired steelworker from Lone Star Steel.

Mr. Jacobs was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Maggie Beggs, Kitty Williams, Versey Cobb, Ethel Byrd and Cleo Lancaster; and brothers, Vernon Jacobs, Early Jacobs and Omer Jacobs.

Survivors include his wife of almost 68 years, Evelyn Hampton Jacobs of Hughes Springs; son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Demeris Jacobs of Avinger; daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Ron Coker of Hughes Springs; grandchildren, Darryl Jacobs, Darrin Jacobs, Darlene Jacobs, Kendra Harp, Michael Coker and Michelle Goodson; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Jacobs was a 15-year cancer survivor. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

Mr. Jacobs will lie in state today, May 25, 2010, and the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home in Hughes Springs.

Online condolences may be made at www.reeder-davis.com

Published in Longview News-Journal on May 25, 2010