James Ernest Gammage, Sr., 85, of Beaumont, died Monday, March 24, 2014. He was born on November 12, 1928, to Ruby Myers Gammage and Ernest Gammage, in Beaumont. James was a graduate of South Park High School and United States Army veteran. He retired from Gulf States Utilities in 1993 after forty-four years of service.
James was a Masonic Lodge member for fifty-six years. He Entered Apprentice on June 9, 1958, became Fellow Craft on June 28, 1958, and earned Master Mason on August 25, 1958. Many of his other accomplishments include: Worshipful Master, South Park Lodge, 1994-95; “Lifetime” Certificate from Comm on Work, 1995; District Instructor, District 26A, 1997-2002; Golden Trowel Award, September 23, 2000; District Deputy, District 26A, 2003; District Instructor, District 26A, 2004-present; Scottish Rite Member, 1965-present; Coronetted 33rd Degree (Scottish Rite), October 19, 2007; and Galveston Scottish Rite Knights, Commander Court of Honor, November 2001.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-three years, Anna Arterberry Gammage; children, James “Jim” Ernest Gammage, Jr. and his wife, Leslie, of Leander; Marcia Harris and her husband, Lynn, of Lumberton; Melanie Enderle and her husband, Paul, of Kountze; and Frank “Scooter” Gammage and his wife, Shuan, of Lumberton; grandchildren, Jennifer Webb, Diane and Paul Gammage, Andrea Kaspar, Casen Kaspar, Cameron Harris, Parker Harris, Will Enderle, Ashley Enderle, Megan and Josh Enderle, Chris Hatcher, SSG Corey Gammage, and Hannah Gammage; great-grandchildren, Travis Gammage, Shannon and Anthony Scheel, Hunter Enderle, Kayden Enderle, Zane Enderle, Kobe Jackson, Derek Andrew, Jacob Gammage, Landon Hatcher, Madison Enderle, Zoey Enderle, Simone Said, and Paxton Harris (due May 2014); and the special extended family of Jimbo Ferrell.
A gathering of Mr. Gammage’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 27, 2014, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 199300, Dallas, Texas 75219-9842.
