James Christopher Spillane

James Christopher Spillane, 71, "Jim" was born in Glenridge, New Jersey, Nov 25, 1944, the son of John H. Spillane and Josephine McMahon Spillane. He died on February 9, 2016. The family moved to Texas in 1952 and Jim graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1962. Jim was awarded a swimming scholarship at The University of Texas, Austin, 1962-66. He was named All-American 100 Breaststroke 1963, 1965, 1966 and 400 Medley Relay 1966, Captain of the Swim Team and the Most Valuable Swimmer in1965. He was a loyal member of Working Exes for Texas Swimming (WETS) since its inception. In 2013 Jim was presented with the Frank Erwin Award for outstanding achievements and contributions to Texas Swimming from the WETS organization.
Jim loved playing golf and he and his partner won the 1995 National Team golf scramble at TPC in Florida. He and his partner won the Texas Golf Association Stableford Handicap Championship in 2009 and 2010. He and his wife, Carolyn, enjoyed many golf trips with close friends at places such as Pebble Beach, California, Colorado, and St. Andrews, Scotland.
He was a successful home builder throughout the years in Houston, as president and owner of Spillane Homes 1979 to present. His homes throughout Greater Houston will be a lasting testimony to his value for craftsmanship and quality work; and his subcontractors, lenders, and customers, many of whom remain close friends today, will attest to his devotion, honesty and trustworthiness.
Jim married the love of his life, Carolyn Stamm, on October 20, 1973.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, brother John H. Spillane Jr. and nephew Tom Wilkinson. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, sister Joan Postma and husband Peter, brother Jeffrey Spillane, sister-in-law Marilyn Spillane-Jones and husband Doran, sister-in-law Mary Margaret Clay and husband John, brother-in-law Leon Stamm and wife Karen, nephew Jeffrey Spillane Jr. and wife Prina, nephew, Joey Spillane, niece Perri Williams and husband Matt, nephew, Bob Postma and wife Angela, niece Deborah Wilkinson, nephew John J. Spillane and wife Stephanie, niece Patti Spillane Rogers and husband Brett, niece Susan Bolado and husband David, niece Linda Tagen and husband Parrish, niece Mary Carolyn Gatzke and husband Ben, nephew Reed Clay and wife Lauren, niece Katherine Strecker and husband Ray, niece Amy Beasley and husband Kevin, niece Keeley Klopfer and husband Matt, nephew Clayton Stamm, and niece Caroline Rockett and husband Will, and many great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Dr, Spring, TX 77379 on Thursday, February 11, 2016, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Lakewood Methodist Church, 11330 Louetta Rd, Houston, TX 77070 at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2016.
In Jim's honor, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors or the Jim Spillane Memorial Scholarship. P.O Box 7458, Austin, TX 78713. Donations on-line can be made at http://links.utexas.edu/ysjosf Attention: Joan Reed for the Jim Spillane Memorial Scholarship.