James Threadgill

1928 - 2016

James Lindin Threadgill (Jimmy)
1928-2016
James Lindin Threadgill (Jimmy), age 88, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 24, 2016. Jimmy was ill with ALS and confined to a care facility. He was born in Galveston, Texas on April 23, 1928 to Almeda Rosalie Price Threadgill and Roy Eugene Threadgill. At a very young age, his family returned to Houston where he spent the rest of his childhood years before moving to Highlands, Texas.
Jimmy was quite a character and very much a people person. If he met a stranger, they were acquainted by the end of the meeting. Upon moving into the nursing facility, most residents knew Jimmy immediately.
Jimmy was a man of many talents. He played the banjo and harmonica in the Pic and Grin Band at Highlands Community Center. Sometimes he even sang as the other members played their instruments. Jimmy was also an avid domino player belonging to several different groups. He was good with his hands, thus was an accomplished carpenter and constructed about twenty houses. He was always willing to help someone build. The family loved the beach house he built at Surfside Beach, Texas and spent many hours there. The grandchildren especially loved the child-size cabin he constructed for them to play in.
For his spiritual needs, Jimmy was a member of Highlands United Methodist Church and worked for the church in several different capacities. In later years, he visited Trinity Episcopal Church quite often with his special friend, Betty Shirley.
Jimmy was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo serving on the School Art Committee. He always got excited about the annual school art shows with rodeo art, most especially Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District's, GCCISD.
Jimmy and his wife, Juanita, owned The Family Shoe Store in Highlands for about five years. At that time their children were growing up, so he was active in the school parent organization, PTO. He was also a member of the Highlands Optimist Club. Mr. Threadgill retired from Ethyl Corporation in 1984.
As a child Jimmy was a member of the Boy Scouts and achieved the honor of Eagle Scout. He always supported youth groups of various kinds to better youth in the community.
When Jimmy was preschool age, he contracted Polio. The Shriners sent physicians to his home to treat the illness and he became a huge fan of the Masonic Lodge Organization. He received Blue Lodge Degrees in Pasadena Lodge # 1155 in 1954. In 1957, Jimmy became a dual member with Daylight Lodge # 1288. He served as master of Daylight Lodge # 1288 from June 1962 until June 1963. He withdrew his membership from Pasadena Lodge # 1155 and became affiliated with Sampson Lodge # 231. Jimmy was a charter member of J. W. Chandler Lodge # 1452 in 1987. He withdrew his membership from J. W. Chandler Lodge # 1452 in 1991. In 1992, Daylight Lodge # 1288 merged with Park Place Lodge # 1172.
Mr. Threadgill served several Grand Lodge appointments. He served as District Deputy Grand Master – District 30-C in 1973. In 1974 he served on Committee on Petitions # 1, Member of Committee on Grievances and Appeals # 3 and member of Committee on Petitions again in 1989. In 1992 Jimmy served another term on the Committee of Appeals # 3.
Besides Blue Lodge, Jimmy became a member of York Rite and Scottish Rite. He was affiliated with Goose Creek Chapter # 408, Dayton Chapter # 284, and Lloyd Gibson Chapter # 481. He served as High Priest of Goose Creek Chapter # 408 and Dayton Chapter # 284. He also served as District Deputy Grand High Priest – District 5-A and Grand Representative from Maryland to Texas.
Jimmy was affiliated with Park Place Council # 373 and Goose Creek Council # 339. In 1972, he became a member of Dayton Council # 219, serving as Thrice Illustrious Master twice. In 1986 Jimmy joined Lloyd L. Gibson Council # 394. Goose Creek Council # 339 membership in 1987 made Jimmy a plural member. In this Lodge he served as Thrice Illustrious Master and received the Order of the Silver Trowel in Waco, Texas. In council, he served as District Deputy Grand Master – District 5-A.
Jimmy was initiated into Scottish Rite in 1960 becoming a member of San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection and Houston Chapter of Rose Croix. He was a charter member of Baytown Scottish Rite Club and a member of Houston Council of Knights Kadosh and Houston Consistory. Jimmy served in Royal Order of the Duck as well.
Jimmy had a membership in Commandary, Shrine, Grotto, and Order of Easter Star in addition to other lodge affiliations. He served as Worthy Patron twice in Crosby Chapter Order of Easter Start # 261.
Other lodge honors include Grand Cross of Color – Order of Rainbow for Girls, Red Cross of Constantine, Knight of the York Cross of Honor, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest, Royal Order of Scotland, and Allied Masonic Degrees – Sam Houston Council # 275.
Jimmy Threadgill was preceded in death by his parents; wife of forty-seven years, Juanita Francis Brown Threadgill; his brother, Roy Threadgill; and his granddaughter, Erin Lynne Hargrave. He is survived by his three children, Beverly Kay Threadgill-Robey (Carr), Nancy Lynne Porter (Mike), and James L. Threadgill, Jr. (Tammy); his grandchildren, Jana Lynne Cole, Stephen Jackson Cole, Carrie Jaimes Istre (Cory), Greg Michael Threadgill (Sara), Brad Allen Threadgill (Terri), David Porter (Carey), Dr. Sharon Porter, Karen Hooper (Carter), and Mark Porter (Allera); his great-grandchildren, Hannah Lynne Hargrave, Thomas James Istre, and Wyatt Threadgill; his sister, Joy Thomas of Mobile, Alabama; sister, Mary Lee Robinson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; sister, Jean Mooney of Pearland, Texas; brother, Roscoe Threadgill of Fredericksburg, Texas; his special friend, Betty Shirley; and his special caregiver, Nelda Fayle of Baytown. Many nieces, nephews, and other relatives survive Jimmy along with an endless amount of friends.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Sterling-White Funeral Home, 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd. in Highlands on Wednesday evening, April 27, 2016 from 5:00PM until 8:00 PM. Services will be held in Sterling-White Funeral Home chapel on Thursday morning, April 28, 2016 at 11:00AM. Interment will follow in Sterling-White Cemetery. Mr. Threadgill will be honored by military for his service during World War II in the Merchant Marines. The Masonic Lodge will conduct a Masonic burial service also. Arrangements entrusted to Sterling-White Funeral Home 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd. Highlands, Texas 77562. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.sterlingwhite.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Highlands United Methodist Church.