James Neil King was born October 12, 1946, and passed away suddenly October 23, 2026. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday.

Born in Commerce, Texas to Robert Edward King and Novell Dodd King he was the oldest of three boys. He grew up in Sonora, Texas and later moved to Katy, Texas. He graduated from Katy High School in 1965 and graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1969 with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Arts. James taught woodshop at Spring Branch High School and Katy High School and later left teaching to go to work for Dow Chemical and then Exxon Mobil where he eventually retired in 2007.

James married his high school sweetheart, Janet, in Katy, Texas in 1967, and they were married 59 years. James and Janet would later have three children Jarrod, Jana, and Janai. In 1985, James moved his family to East Texas where he fulfilled his lifelong dream of building his own home himself. From the foundation, the electrical, the cabinetry, every nail and every board, James completed his labor of love in 1988. He finished raising his family in the home that was his masterpiece and over the next several years this house would be a home and fun place to be for their 10 grandchildren.

James was known in his younger years as a star athlete in both football and baseball. He loved motorcycles and cars and always had several in his driveway. His dogs were his best friends. James also loved playing pool and for the last several years spent most every Saturday playing with his grandson, Jordan, and any other family that could make it for a game. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and the coolest PopPop. James was a man of few words, but he showed us that no matter what family takes care of each other and he stepped up every time his family needed him. When asked to describe PopPop in one word his grandchildren said words such as hardworking, strong-willed, stubborn, blunt, extraordinary, honest, transparent, and stoic.

James is survived by his wife, Janet, and his daughter and son-in-law Jana Jaye and Robert Smith; his grandsons Colton Campbell, wife Lindsey and great-granddaughters Sadler and Winnie, Dylan Campbell, wife Ashleigh and great-granddaughter Genevieve, Jordan King, Seth King, wife Jasmine and great-grandsons Carson, Deklen, great-granddaughter Cordelia, Cody King, wife Ashlee and great-granddaughter Zoella and great-grandson Jensen; his granddaughters Gracie Jayne Smith, husband Nick, Lexi King, Emma King, Darrian King,  Breann King and great grandsons Leland, Aiden, Kale; nieces Courtney King, Sarah Hicsonmez, and Stephanie King; nephews Jarvis, Zachary, and Schuyler King; daughter-in law Angela King; brother Richard King, wife Debi King, and sister-in-law Shantai King.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his son, Jarrod James King, daughter, Janai Janet King, granddaughter Zoe King, and his brother Harold King.

A memorial service for close family and friends will be at 1:30 pm Sunday, November 1, 2026, at The Stretford in Tyler, Texas.