Allen C. James

Allen "Al" C. James, 90, of Big Spring, died on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Ron Westbrook, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park Peace Chapel. The family will receive friends Friday from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the funeral home.He was born on October 23, 1917, in Kopperl, Texas and married Jewel Katherine Kennard in January, 1947 in Tarrant County, Texas. She preceded him in death on January 23, 1997.Mr. James had lived in the Ackerly and Big Spring area since 1933. He had served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II as a radio/radar operator. He was a part of the Battle of the Bulge and landed on Normandy Beach three days after the invasion of Normandy. Al had obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was named Veteran of the Month by the Hanger 25 museum in July, 2007. He began working in Ft. Worth in 1947 and transfered to Big Spring in 1948 and worked thirty-eight years at Cosden Refinary as an electrical engineer. Al was a member of the Howard County Sherriff''s Posse for thirty years where he served as vice president for many years. He was a Baptist and attended Baptist Temple Church.Survivors include his son, Fredrick T. "Rick" James and fiance, Janice Schmidt of Big Spring; Ron and Jannette Westbrook of Big Spring; one step daughter, Beatrice Spruce of Austin; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Emma Jo James of Lillian and Archer F. and Frankie James of Cleburne; one sister and brother-in-law, Freda and Walter Hicks of Hico; two grandchildren, Raela Edwards and husband, Justin and Chad Allen James; three step grandchildren, Gary Burgess, Teresa Pendergrass and Randy Maynard; four great grandchildren, Lane Allen White, Dylan Edwards, Mathew Edwards and Kelsey Westbrook; and several step-great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Monroe James.The family suggests memorials be made to the Baptist Temple Church, 400 E. 11th Place, Big Spring, Texas 79720.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,