Dr. James Merrill Motes Jr.

1943 - 2017

Dr. James Merrill Motes,Jr.

Corpus Christi, TX

Dr. James Merrill Motes, Jr., of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away October 24, 2017, at the age of 73, with dignity and grace. He spent the last hours of his life surrounded by family and showered with love and good cheer. Dr. Motes was born in Anniston, Alabama on December 23, 1943 to James Motes, Sr. and Margaret Allen Motes. He was married to the love of his life, Carolyn, for 52 years.

Dr. Motes grew up in Anniston, Alabama and graduated from Anniston High School in 1961. He received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1965. He attended medical school at the University of Alabama and graduated with his M.D. degree in 1969. Following medical school, he joined the United States Navy where he completed his internship, residency and fellowship, first in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and then in Puerto Rico. Dr. Motes attained the rank of Commander before deciding to leave the Navy in 1977 to enter into the private practice of medicine at King & Motes in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Motes later joined ENT Associates in 1990 where he worked as a partner until his death. Among his many professional accomplishments, he served as Chief of Staff at Christus Spohn Hospital in 2000 and as Secretary prior to that. Always one to help others in need, he traveled to Mexico for many years on annual medical mission trips and frequently visited children in the Valley to assist those in need of medical care and surgical procedures.

Dr. Motes was a very accomplished doctor with many accolades, but he was most proud of his wife and family. He was a dedicated, loyal, hard-working husband, father, grandfather and uncle, but it was his kind, caring, compassionate, humorous spirit that his family and close friends will truly miss. He was an avid golfer, loved to ski and had a great passion for traveling the world. He and Carolyn visited six of the seven continents, seeing beauty and wonder in each place they stopped and in each person they met along the way. He was a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and was active in the Rotary Club.

Dr. Motes is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his son, James Motes III (Page and their two children) of Austin, Texas; his son Andrew Motes (Marci and their two children) of Austin, Texas; his son Robert Motes (Julie and their three children) of Weston, Florida; his son William Motes (Jennifer and their one child) of Providence, Rhode Island; his sister Judy Motes-Wright (Carol Wright-Motes) of Jacksonville, Florida; his brother-in-law Milton R. Threadgill (Connie) of College Station, Texas; his niece Monique Threadgill (James Starr and their two children) of Austin, Texas; and his nephew Paul Threadgill (Rachael and their two children) of Conroe, Texas.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 11 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 700 South Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Mission of Mercy (719 S. Shoreline Boulevard, Suite 301B, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401), The Church of the Good Shepherd or a charity of your choice.