James Albert Larimore

At 2:30 pm on Monday, December 18, 2017, James Albert Larimore went to be with his Lord and Savior. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Thursday, December 21st, there will be a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 pm prior to funeral services beginning at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Newcastle, Texas. Pastor Michael Cyr will officiate. Burial will follow in True Cemetery in Young County; directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Born on November 4, 1937 to Bosley and Ida Mae Larimore, James was raised in Newcastle, Texas with his brother, Bobby Dale Larimore. He graduated from Newcastle High school in 1956. He attended John Tarleton Junior College and then transferred to North Texas State University. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Education in 1960. James married the love of his life, Marilyn Miniard on June 10, 1960. Together they raised three children. In 1965, he graduated with his Masters in Education from North Texas State University. He moved his family to Stephenville and began teaching in the Industrial Arts Department at Tarleton State College in 1967. He earned his Doctorate of Education from East Texas State University in 1976. James taught at Tarleton State University, and then became head of the department. He retired Professor-Emeritus. James had a zest for life and a sense of humor that could be matched by no other. His love of adventure led his family and friends to do things that they would never have done on their own. He loved water-skiing, jet-skiing, 3-wheeling in the sand hills of west Texas and 4-wheeling in the mountains of Colorado. At the young age of 79, he bought his last toy, a RZR. He and Marilyn would take off on adventures by themselves (when they could catch their oldest daughter not looking). Upon retirement, he divided his time between Stephenville and Creede, Colorado. He was known as the "social director" of Bristol Head Acres. In April 2015, he and Marilyn moved to Abilene's Mesa Springs Independent Living Center. They made wonderful friends there. James is survived by his wife, Marilyn Larimore; his children, Terri Birchum and husband Brad of Abilene, Sherry Larimore-Sparn of Thornton, CO; James Andrew Larimore and wife Lisa of Boise, ID; his grandchildren, James Shelby Curtis of Denver, CO, Brent Birchum and wife Joy of Top Sail Island, NC, Bryan Birchum, currently in Rota, Spain, Maxwell Larimore of Boise, ID, James Austin Larimore also of Boise, ID; and one great-grandson, James Zebulon Curtis of Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bosley Larimore and Ida Mae Larimore-Baldridge; step-father, James Baldridge; son-in-law, David Sparn; and nephew, Evan Larimore. Memorials may be given to the American Red Cross or the donor's favorite charity.