Jimmy Ray Westbrook

Jimmy Ray Westbrook, age 85, passed away at his home in Diana, Texas on April 23, 2025. Jimmy was born in Alba, Texas on September 1, 1939, and he lived in Diana practically his entire life. He loved all kinds of sports, especially hunting, camping and fishing. Jimmy graduated from New Diana High School in 1958, where he excelled as a star football player and where he met, courted, and married the love of his life Jane Goad. They enjoyed 67 wonderful years of marriage.

Jimmy was a superb athlete and enjoyed playing anything related to a ball. He also loved to hunt all kinds of game and boldly claimed to be able to shoot the eye out of a gnat. Confidence was never his problem. Jimmy was gifted in working with his hands and could build or repair just about anything. He was always willing to help his children and grandchildren with any project they worked on. He worked as a tool and die maker at Continental Can Company, from which he retired.

He held a deep love for his family and held center stage in all family gatherings. He proudly shared in the accomplishments of each and every child and grandchild. As “gramps” he joyfully followed the lives of his grandchildren, regaling them with his golden nuggets of wisdom, delivered by the self-entitled “wise one.”

Jimmy was a warm loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents Arlie and Birdie Westbrook and by his sister Barbara Ivy. He is survived by his sister Wanda Jones. He is also survived by his beloved wife Jane Westbrook and his four children, Don Westbrook and wife Cindy; Delena Dorgan and husband David; Richard Westbrook and wife Shelly; and Shalain Smith and husband Daniel. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and their spouses: Heath Dorgan, Daniel Westbrook, Cammie Keenon, Adam Westbrook, Andrew Westbrook, Joshua Smith, Sarah Westbrook and Joseph Smith, along with 10 great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Visitation will take place at Croley Funeral Home in Diana on Tuesday, April 29 th. starting at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. A private graveside service will take place later for the family.