Matheson

James (Jim) Ray was born in Velasco, Texas on Aug. 18, 1948, the son of J. D. and Clara (Hall) Matheson. He was immersed as a youth in the baptist faith in Houston. He was confirmed on Dec. 24, 1967 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Klein, Texas by Pastor Dewyth Beltz. He married Emily Anschutz on Jan. 12, 1968 at Trinity Lutheran, Klein. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters Stephanie Aderhold and Stacie Wicke and an adopted son Ronnie Matheson. Matheson died on November 20, 2016. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda. Jim graduated from Magnolia High School in 1966 and was drafted into the Army in February 1969 where he served two years as a Hawk Missile radar technician in Hohenfels, Germany. He graduated from North Harris Community College with an AS Degree on May 15, 1993. As a young man Jim worked in oilfield related companies as a salesman and at Purvis Lumber Company in Magnolia. He began college when the oilfield went bust in the 80’s and worked full time while attending college at night. It took him 8 years to receive his degree in heating/ventilation/air conditioning to become a licensed HVAC technician. He worked for Tomball ISD and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD for 20 years and retired in 2002. Jim moved to La Grange from Bandera where he and Emily lived for three years and have lived in Warda, Texas since 2005. Since moving to La Grange Jim worked for Farmers Lumber Company for six years and Second Chance Emporium for a year prior to 2014 when he was diagnosed with cancer. He courageously battled cancer for the past two and a half years. Jim was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Warda. He was a member of the mens’ club at church, a church officer, previous member of “Roustabouts” in La Grange, member of “Fishers of Men” at St. Paul Lutheran Church, and current member of Texas 42 Domino Tournament Club. Jim and his brother, Roger, teamed up in 42 games against the ladies at Holy Cross as well as tournament play. Jim was known to be an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and camp. He loved to tell his military stories and stories of his hunting escapades at the ranch in South Texas. He never met a stranger that he couldn’t strike up a conversation with. He had a great love of people and would help anyone who asked him for a favor. Jim was a happy, kind person, a loving husband, father, and a loyal friend to all who knew him. Jim is survived by his wife, Emily Matheson, two daughters Stephanie Aderhold and husband James of Smithville; Stacie Wicke and husband David of Columbus, and son, Ronnie Matheson of San Antonio; brother, Roger Matheson and wife, Phyllis, of Montgomery; sister Janice Walker and husband Jerry of Magnolia; sister-in-law Judy Matheson-Evans; five grandsons Ethan Matheson, Wyatt Aderhold, Aiden Wicke, Brice Wicke and Devin Matheson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; J. D. Matheson and Clara Hall Matheson, one brother, Jerry Matheson and granddaughter Emily Jane Matheson. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 North Jefferson, La Grange, Texas 78945; Second Chance Emporium, 555 West Travis, La Grange, Texas 78945 or the Texas Ramp Project, c/o Bill Koenig, 1417 St. James Church Road, West Point, Texas 78963. Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements.