James Hebert

James Ray Hebert, 88, of Santa Fe, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, in Houston, Texas. He was a gentleman and a gentle man, a caring, loving husband and father, as well as a loyal friend and neighbor to many. Born on January 2, 1937, in Galveston, Texas, James was a steadfast conservative throughout his life, often stating he was neither Democrat nor Republican, but simply a conservative � a philosophy by which he lived.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Sue (Williams) Hebert; twin brothers, Phillip Hebert and Felix Hebert, Jr., grandson, Stephen Daniel Gonzales, Jr., USN; brother, Fred Hebert, a United States Navy veteran; James' first wife, Caren (Rogers) McLaughlin; sister, Janet (Hebert) Taylor; and daughter, Sandra Annette (Hebert) Miller.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-five years, Nita (Thomas) Hebert of Santa Fe, Texas; sons, Michael Scott Hebert (Ruth) of Webster, Texas, and Mark Douglas Hebert (Sheila) of Newport News, Virginia; and daughter, Shanna (Hebert) Bellamy Del Bosque (Michael) of Spring, Texas.

James also leaves behind five grandchildren, Sharon (Hebert) Troquille, Christopher Hebert, Brandi (Hebert) Simmons, Trisha (Hebert) Hurst (Brian), Ashley (Fawcett) Carranza (Alex), Aaron Bellamy, and Miranda Bellamy, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Cameron Coutorie, Logan Troquille, Waylon Hebert, Lilly Hurst, Stephen Carranza, Skyler Carranza, and Amberly Carranza.

Through his sister's decline and passing, he became especially close to his niece, Diane (Benoit) Lawless of The Woodlands, Texas, and great-niece, Seana (Benoit) Cobb of, Georgia, with whom he developed a close relationship through her interest in family history and genealogy. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

James graduated from Texas City High School in Texas City, Texas in 1954. He worked at AMOCO in Texas City until joining the United States Army in 1960. His Deployment took him to Ft. Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone on the Atlantic side, where his first son was born. When his tour of duty was over, he returned stateside with his first wife, Caren (Rogers) Hebert, and their first son, Michael Scott. They later returned stateside and settled in Texas City, where both their families resided and later welcomed another son, Mark Douglas, and a daughter, Sandra Annette, completing their family. He received an Honorable Discharge when he left the service, returning to civilian life to continue his life's journey.

Following their divorce in 1969, James moved to Houston, where he met his second wife, Nita Thomas. They began dating and married before the year's end; then decided to leave the big city to build a new home in Santa Fe, Texas where they raised their daughter, Shanna, and where James and Nita still lived at his passing.

Throughout his career, he was a proficient computer programmer, systems analyst, operating mainframe computers for various area banks in Texas City and Galveston, Texas. James worked in the banking industry with most of his career spent primarily in the Houston/Galveston area. In early 1969, he joined Bankers Data Services in Houston, Texas, remaining there until Frost Bank of San Antonio, Texas acquired the company. He made many friends both inside and outside of the banking industry. Among cherished friends were Conni and Ginger (one of Nita's roommates before they married) from their days working together at Bankers Data Services as well as Denise and Jodi from his time at Guardian Savings and Loan in Houston, Texas. Many will sorely miss him.

Perhaps the best legacy James gave his kids was his love of taking them to new places and awakening their curiosity about traveling. Though their favorite vacation spot to go to on summer vacations was to the Frio River in Concan, Texas, he wanted them to know there were other places to see and explore. One year, he told them he wanted to take them to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. They only wanted to go to Concan, so, he told them if they did not agree to go to Carlsbad there would be no summer vacation that year. They finally agreed, and he compromised by stopping in Concan on the way home. Planning their next vacation was different. They were ready to go visit other places and had many great family vacations in locations they would not have seen if they had only gone to Concan every year.

One in particular was after they were all grown and on their own. In 1997. He invited all four kids and their spouses to go on a vacation to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. All but one spouse were able to make the trip. It was a fun trip; different from when they were younger in that he did not have to worry about them going off on their own to explore. When we went on the various other tours of the cave, prior to the Wild Cave Tour, the kids kept asking Dad if he was having fun yet. The answer was always the same, "I'll have fun Wednesday", which was the day of the Wild Cave Tour. Upon their return, it just so happened that Walgreens had a Father's Day photo special at 5 cents a print and we had a lot of pictures to develop, so that was a great deal. As always, from all our trips, he made him and Nita an album of pictures from the trip, but this time, he also made one for each of the kids; making a great trip even more special.

Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City, Texas is handling arrangements. A Memorial Service and celebration of his life is tentatively set for November 9, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. in Carnes' Chapel. More details later as they become available.