Photo courtesy of Owens and Brumley Funeral Home - Wichita Falls
Sep 15, 1942 - Aug 18, 2025
Thanks for giving your time in the Fire Service and Wichita Falls TX.
Randy Hamman
August 21, 2025 | Wichita Falls, TX | Friend
I met Ronnie in 1994 and instantly became a fan. I had just made Chief of the Brownwood Fire Department and Ronnie graciously guided me thru early years of learning the ropes. I learned a tremendous amount from him. After he retired from Wichita Falls and began instructing with A&M we kept him busy coming to Brownwood on a regular basis for advanced training. I always felt welcome in his presence. You will be missed old friend. Rest in Peace.
Robert Followwell
August 21, 2025 | Brownwood, TX | Coworker
I want to extend my deepest sympathy to each of you as you grieve the loss of such a remarkable man. Though I only came to know him later in life, it was immediately clear what a kind, genuine, and loving person he was. He had a way of making others feel welcome, and I could see how deeply he cared for his family. That kind of presence leaves a mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
To his wife, Colleen — may you find comfort in the many years of love and partnership you...
Cynthia Pennachi
August 21, 2025 | BEAR, DE | Friend
Great friend and Masonic brother. Will be missed.
Billy Prewitt
August 21, 2025 | Waxahachie, TX | Friend
In memory of and in gratitude for your long and honorable service at DFD, WFFD, and elsewhere. May God bless you and welcome you home.
Grateful Community
August 20, 2025
Ronnie E James was a long-time servant of the Texas Fire Service. He fought a long battle of health issues with dignity and pride and was surrounded by his family who held him as he passed Monday, August 18, 2025.
Celebration of Ronnie’s Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025 at First Christian Church 3701 Taft Blvd, Wichita Falls, Texas with Dr. Mark Bender and Dr. David Hartman Jr., officiating. Following the service the family will receive friends at The Warehouse at 1401 Lamar St, Wichita Falls for food and fellowship.
He was born to Edwin Donald and Ella Jane James on September 15, 1942 in Wellsville, OH. He moved to Texas in 1960 and began his career in the fire service.
Ronnie lived an incredible life serving his community. He was a Dallas firefighter from 1964 to 1987 when he accepted the role as Fire Chief in Wichita Falls. After many years of innovative work with the WFFD, he retired in 2001 and worked as a TEEX instructor until 2014. He retired fully with 50 years in the fire service.
Starting in the 1980s, Ronnie started following the Texas A&M football team and fell in love with the university. He worked every summer as a guest instructor or a safety manager at the Texas A&M Fire Training School. He would bring his children and grandchildren to fire school. His grandson Josh was able to fight a training fire with him and his daughter graduated from TAMU class of 2007.
Ronnie was active in his Masonic family while he lived in Dallas as a Past Master of Jewel P Lightfoot Lodge and a member of the Scottish Rite. In 1989 he joined Maskat Shrine Center and served as the potentate in 2005 spending many hours in community with friends serving the Shriners children’s hospitals.
Ronnie and Colleen were members of First Christian Church of Wichita Falls and were active in their Sunday school group. Ronnie served as an elder for several years and in 2024 was honored with a lifetime elder presentation.
Throughout all of his life, he was a devoted father. Present at every Christmas and birthday, even if that meant trading shifts at the station. He was very involved in coaching both Sean and Chris in baseball and later coached Amy in softball. Ronnie attended countless gymnastics events and basketball games to watch Cindy. All of his children have many fond memories of Ronnie’s teasing nature and abundance of love that he shared easily.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and his youngest son, Chris James who passed away in 2005.
He is survived by his brother Billy Marshall and wife Pat of Kennedale, TX. With his first wife Marie James, he is survived by his son Sean James and partner Tina Crow of Dallas, TX, and his daughter Cindy Blades and husband Aaron of Temple, Oklahoma. With his wife Colleen James, he is survived by his daughter Amy Luna and husband Sergio of Bryan, TX. Through genealogical DNA testing, he is also survived by his son Mike Drye and wife Patti who was born preceding both marriages. Ronnie was reconnected with Mike on his 78th birthday.
Ronnie is also survived by grandchildren Sandra, Casey, Josh, Jenna, Austin, Hunter, Mikey, Linzey, Kendall, Savanna, Libby, Molley, and Hailey. He is survived by 16 great grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews.
Services will be streamed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@firstchristianwf
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