James Mike "Jim" Kite

James "Jim" Mike Kite passed away January 29, 2026.

Jim was born in Luling, Texas, on April 19, 1935, to Elzie Ray and Viola (Karl) Kite. He was a graduate of 1953 from Roswell High School in Roswell, New Mexico. He attended several colleges, including the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Del Mar University in Corpus Christi, Texas; the University of Houston in Houston, Texas; Harding Graduate School in Memphis, Tennessee; and the University of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On December 9, 1972, Jim married Sondra "Sandy" Huelskamp in Pasadena, Texas. Together, they were blessed with 53 years of marriage.

His professional career was marked by a wide range of technical, entrepreneurial, and service-oriented roles. He began his career with the New Mexico State Highway Department as an Assistant Project Engineer in Roswell, New Mexico. He later worked in Exploration Geophysics with Humble Oil & Refining Company in Roswell, New Mexico, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Houston, Texas. He also served in Facilities Engineering with Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation in Bethpage, New York.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, he lived a life rooted in service, leadership, and faith. He spent time as a missionary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an experience that reflected his commitment to helping others. He was a licensed Texas real estate broker, homebuilder, and commercial contractor, and was actively involved in retail hardware businesses. He also owned and managed both residential and commercial rental properties.

He devoted many years to public service and community leadership. He served on the City of Deer Park Charter Revision Committee and on the Deer Park City Council from 1976 to 1986, and was an alternate representative for the City of Deer Park to the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments. His civic involvement also included service on the Business Development Board of Allied Deer Park Bank, life membership in the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, chairmanship of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Harris County Economic Development Council, and membership on the Board of Directors of the Deer Park Rotary Club, where he also served as President.

His commitment extended further through his service as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Advisory Board of Hollis Huff & Co., P.C. He served on the Board of Regents of Texas Chiropractic College, including seven years on the Executive Committee as Treasurer, and was a charter member of the San Jacinto College Foundation, where he served as Vice Chairman.

Jim's dedication to excellence in business and community service was recognized through numerous honors. In 1992 and again in 1996, he received the Ace Partnership Award as Best Ace Hardware Store in the region encompassing Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. In 1993, he was named Pasadena Business of the Year by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the Harris County Southeast Economic Development Council. That same year, he received the W. D. Harper Science of Existence Award from Texas Chiropractic College, an honor bestowed upon only one layperson in the history of the award. He was named Pasadena Citizen of the Year in 1995, and in 1998 received the Ace 2000 Award as a Premier Retailer.

Despite his many professional accomplishments, Jim was a devoted family man. He treasured time spent with his loved ones and had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. An avid hunter, he enjoyed many hunting trips in South Texas, as well as countless fishing excursions, with duck hunting holding a special place among his favorites. When he wasn't in the field or on the water, he could often be found tending his vegetable garden, proudly sharing its bounty with his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents. Surving family is his wife Sandy; sons and wives Kenney and Patty Capps, Kevin and Karen Capps, and Angel and Carol Narvaz; eight grandchildren; 17 grandchildren; special friend Frank Huezo; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Jim will be Friday, February 13, 2026 at 2:00 pm at St. John Lutheran Church, Prairie Hill with Pastor Norman Sulaica, Jr. officiating. An inurnment will follow at the church cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice Brazos Valley for the compassionate care that was shown to Jim and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley.