James Britton

James Britton LUBBOCK-The long goodbye ended for the Britton family on Friday, May 4th, when James Britton succumbed to complications of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). He was preceded in death by his parents, Bynum and Elnora Britton, and his brother, Robert Britton. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jackie (Wallace) Britton; daughter, Morgan Everett and her husband Mike, and sons, Aidan, Lucas and Noah (Taipei, Taiwan); daughter, Erin Rowton and her husband Michael (Plano, Texas); daughter, Jamie Zertuche and her husband Blue (Irving, Texas); and many cousins and beloved friends. James Jimmy Ray Morgan Britton was born Nov. 5, 1946, in Abilene, Texas. Jimmy grew up in Spur, Texas. He graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1965 and from Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in English and theater in 1969. He was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant as one of the first ROTC graduates of Stephen F. Austin and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. Jimmy married Jacquelyn Wallace on Sept. 5, 1976, in Plano, Texas. During the early years of their marriage, he worked for various oil companies, traveling frequently to oilrigs off the coast of New Zealand, before starting Britton Holland Custom Homes with close friend, Jim Holland. In 1986, he was hired by the NMMI Alumni Association, where he served as the executive secretary. During his years at NMMI, he established the NMMI Alumni Trail Ride fundraiser, which continues to this day. In 1998, Jimmy was hired by UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he served as director of alumni affairs and as the special assistant to the president. He retired from UT Southwestern in 2003 and began a new career at PlainsCapital Bank, where he became a senior vice president for private banking. Jimmy also devoted many hours to various community organizations, serving on the board of the Lee Park and Arlington Hall Conservancy and as president of the Turtle Creek Association. After his diagnosis with ALS, he volunteered as a disabilities liaison for the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. Jimmy was a proud West Texan and had a small family cattle operation in Dickens, Texas. He enjoyed riding horses, working his cattle, and spending time with family and friends in West Texas. Jimmy grew up in the Methodist church, and in his final weeks made a decision to follow Christ, and joyfully told anyone who would listen to the story of his salvation. A celebration of Jimmy's life will be held at the Britton Family Home on May 12, 2012, from 2 to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the ALS Association or to the International Mission Board. The Britton family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Autumn Journey Hospice workers for their loving care of Jimmy in his final days.