Jim Jamieson

James J. Jamieson, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and retired petroleum geologist, passed away in Louisville, CO on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at the age of 91.

Jim’s Funeral Service will be 11:30am on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home in Waco, TX. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. A visitation with the family and memorial video tribute will begin an hour prior to the service at 10:30 am.

Jim was born in Detroit, MI on Monday, April 25, 1927 to James and Helen (Lindstrom) Jamieson. The family moved to Muskegon, where he grew up as a single child who was fond of his many cousins. After graduating from Muskegon High School in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he trained as a pilot and served during World War II as a stateside weather observer until his honorable discharge in 1946. Jim then attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a B.S. degree in geology in 1949 before starting his family. The family lived in Wichita, KS, Amarillo, TX, and then eventually moved to Casper, WY. While living in Amarillo, he was active with sons David and Chris in the YMCA Indian Guides. He was very active with the “Wise Men” in the philanthropy of that organization. During his involvement with the Indian Guides, he was awarded the highest position, Chief of the Longhouse, where he led the entire organization. In Casper he enjoyed ski outings with the kids.

In 1950, he began what would become a 39-year career with Gulf Oil Co. as a petroleum geologist in Venezuelan and domestic locations. He spent many months in the Venezuelan jungle where he was instrumental in discovering large oil reserves. He chaired the Society of Petroleum Engineers and served on various committees of petroleum industry groups in Kansas. He was an active career member of the American Petroleum Institute, and served a term as president in the Panhandle Geological Society. Ultimately, he became a government liaison for Gulf in Houston, TX, before retiring in 1989 from Gulf’s successor, Chevron.

Relocating to Denton, TX with his wife, Elma, Jim continued to be very active in his community. He served on the Airport Advisory Board, and was an area tax coordinator with AARP. After moving to Tyler, TX, Jim pursued his passion of gardening, once winning “yard of the month”.

Jim was a devoted family and company man, whose kind, gentle presence, solid guidance, diligence, admirable work ethic, and “can-do” spirit was inspiring to others and will be remembered. He was a proud member of the Republican Party and personified the best of “The Greatest Generation”. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Elma; four children, David and wife Judi, Chris, Julie and husband Rob, and Courtney and husband Glenn; three stepchildren, Sandy and wife Wendy, Kellye, and John; four grandchildren, Stefan, Mikayla, Ethan, and Maddie; four step grandchildren, Hollie, Alex, Evan and Matt; and one step great-grandchild, Dallas.