James Leon Pish

JAMES LEON PISH

YOAKUM - James Leon Pish, age 72, of Yoakum, born Oct. 7, 1934, died suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007. He was former owner of Pish Saddlery of Yoakum and former Vice President of Circle Y Inc.
Survivors: wife, Rose Lee Butler Pish; sisters, Mildred Hoffer of Corpus Christi and Elaine Balsley of Houston; sons, Mike Pish of Greenville, John Pish of Victoria and Dan Pish of Cibilo; two daughters, Vickie Pish Davies of Granbury and Sandy Pish Berger of Yoakum; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents, Laddie and Bessie Pish; sister, Loretta Brzozowski; son, Jimmy Pish; grandson, Blain Berger; and son-in-law, Chris Davies.
James was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus, the KJT and president of the Yoakum Rodeo Club. He was a past president and lifetime member of the Texas Youth Rodeo Association. He was also a life member of the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo.
James joined Circle Y Inc. in its infancy and was the company's top producing salesman for many years before becoming the vice-president / sales manager. He was a director of the Circle Y Show Room at the Dallas Apparel Market for over 20 years and traveled all over the United States to markets and trade shows that involved his industry.
James was a sought after judge for horsemanship events throughout the United States and stayed active in this career well past his retirement from the corporate world. Some of James' current projects included the planning and directing of fundraising events for the Yoakum Rodeo Club, and working in an advisory capacity to the new Pish Saddlery of Greenville.
He was a very well known and respected man in the western leather industry as well as in the sport of professional rodeo. His absence will be noted, his presence missed.
Visitation will be Thursday from 6-7 p.m. and a rosary at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral mass will be 2 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Matthew Huehlefeld officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery.
An online register book may be signed at thielecooper.com.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to: American Diabetes Association or Acts Retreat c/o Sacred Heart Church, Hallettsville, Texas.
Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-5656.


This obituary was originally published in the Victoria Advocate.