James Borden East

Decatur ~ James Borden East, 88, passed from life into eternity Sunday, July 17, 2016 in Decatur. James’s father led him to the Lord when he was 11 years old.

Funeral is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Decatur with burial in Sycamore Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home.

Rev. Ken May and Rev.Gerre Joiner will officiate. Pallbearers include Matt Exter, Mark Mascardo, Kenny Boner, Andrew East, Michael East, Jesse East, Harold Ray Walker, and G.A.Walker Jr.

James was born on November 13, 1927 to Jesse and Mamie (Chappell) East in Fort Worth, Texas. James’s mother died when he was 8 years old. He and his siblings went to live at the Lena Pope Orphans’ Home where his father worked until his death five years later.  After James left the home, he joined the U.S. Navy in July 1946 and received an Honorable Medical Discharge a year later. He was united in marriage to Auga Lee Mathis on December 29, 1947 in Bloomington, Texas. They had four children, Rama Lynn, Charles, Donald and Alean and have enjoyed nearly 69 years of married life.

Over the years, he worked as a tool pusher and driller on offshore drilling rigs, owned his own water well service, worked for American Airlines, and worked for the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, from which he retired on March 31, 1990.

James was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows in the 60’s and was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Decatur.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Mamie East; his brothers, Dewey East, William East; his sisters, Ola Tinney, Sara Heisler; and his great-grandchild, Joy Lairamore.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 69 years, Auga Lee East of Decatur; his daughters, Rama Lynn Smith and husband Buck of Berryville, Arkansas, Alean East Zufall and husband Robert of Houston; his sons, Charles Steward East and wife Holly of Decatur, Donald Eugene East and wife Linda of Houston; his grandchildren, Amy Exter, Natalie Lairamore, Lana Boner, Alexis Mascardo, Rachel Ryder, Andrew East, Michael East, Jesse East, Maggie Zufall; 12 great-grandchildren; his brother, Eddie East and wife Marilyn of Gainesville; his sisters, Linnie East of Illinois and Ernestine Risk of Florida; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home, Decatur, Texas, 940-627-5959

www.hawkinsfuneralhome.com