James “Kirby” Courts, 77, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, December 25, 2013, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. He was born on December 13, 1936, in Beaumont, to Mary Bonin Courts and James Cole Courts and was a lifelong resident of the area. Kirby was a Beaumont High School and Lamar University graduate, an Air Force veteran, and retired from Goodyear Chemical as a mechanical engineer.

Kirby is survived by his wife, Camilla Courts; children, Zoe Mayes, Chris Mayes, Susan Davis, Laurie Pink, Lisa Dillon, and Tammy Gallier; siblings, Shirley Burkes, Nancy White, Jerry Courts, Patricia Conley, and Charles Courts; thirteen grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Anthony Courts.

A gathering of Mr. Court’s family and friends will begin at 11:00 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 27, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.