The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

James Edward Stagg, 91, of Orangefield, passed away Jan. 6, at his home. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 9, at Claybar Kelly-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont. Officiating was Father Francis Conroy. Burial was to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.

Born in China, Tx., Oct. 16, 1924, he was the son of Clayton Buckhannon Stagg and Mellie LaPearl Smith. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He was an owner and operator of heavy equipment and did work for Drainage District #6, Jefferson County. He was a member of the Merry Mixers Square Dance Club, a United States Marine Corp Veteran of World War II and he attended St. Helen Catholic Church in Orangefield.

James was the epitome of the American Dream! Despite a childhood that had seen The Great Depression and World War II he still found a way to accomplish so much of the America Dream. He did it in the manner in which we should all strive to live our lives. He prospered in life not just for the materialistic things but also for all of the lives he touched.

He was the American Dream because of how he treated others and the example in which he lived for others to follow. He did it by treating others better than he expected to be treated in return. He did it by the countless lives that he touched, the smile he brought from the jokes he always told but mostly he did it with that giant smile on his face he got from knowing he had helped you.....even if help just meant bringing a smile to your face on a rainy day.

He was preceded in death by his parents, C.B. and Mellie Stagg; brothers, Bill Stagg, Faye Stagg and George Stagg and his grandsons, Jimmy Stagg and Ben Stagg.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie Stagg; children, Eddie Stagg, of Jasper, Barbara Blankenship, of Kingwood, Mykela “Cindy” Greenwood, of Katy, and Christi Mathews and husband Jimmie, of Hurst; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Serving as pallbearers were Brandon Bingham, Christion Stagg, Alex Graham, Mark Blankenship, Burt Blankenship and Kurt Blankenship. Honorary pallbearer was Jason Stagg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Helen Catholic Church in Orangefield or to a charity of the donors choosing.