James B. Gaar, 84, of Kountze, died Thursday, May 10, 2012, at his residence. Born December 26, 1927, in Dodson, Louisiana, to Esther Edie Rayburn Gaar and Ashville Edwin Gaar, he had been a resident of Kountze for twenty years. James proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and was a retired electrical technician with Colonial Pipeline Company with twenty-seven years of service. He was a member of American Legion Post in Lumberton and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Kountze.

Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Gloria Gaar of Kountze; daughter, Kim Elisabeth Shields of Spring Branch; son, David Barton Gaar of La Porte; sister, Charmaigne Montgomery of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and grandchildren, Kristen Elisabeth Shields, Justin Michael Shields, and Cody Robert Shields and his wife, Lindsay.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Joe Merle Morris.

A gathering of James’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 11, 2012, at Broussard’s, 530 W. Monroe, Kountze.  His funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2012, at Broussard’s, with interment at Old Hardin Cemetery in Kountze.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Kountze, P.O. Box 638, Kountze, Texas  77625 or to Kountze Public Library, 800 S. Redwood Drive, Kountze, Texas  77625.