James Valentine “Jay” Walsh, 95, of Fannett, passed away June 16, 2015, of natural causes. Jay was born in Scott, Louisiana, in 1919, to Patrick and Andrea Walsh. From 1942-1945 he served with the Army Air Corps 307th Bombardment Group (HV) in the South Pacific islands as a refueler of B-24 heavy bomber aircraft. Jay was a resident of Fannett since 1971 and retired from a career with Gulf Oil in 1981. He thought being in the service and traveling was quite an experience for a cotton-picking country boy and said that he had a wonderful life. One of his bosses nicknamed him “Slim” and it stuck with him for many years. A few people also called him “J.V.”.
Jay had a do-it-yourself spirit, and his incredible resourcefulness yielded numerous unique and amusing contraptions that adorn his self-built home. He enjoyed raising rat terriers, chickens, sheep, cattle, gardening, persimmons, figs, and watching purple martins. His favorite foods were cornbread, rice and gravy, cookies and eating Blue Bell Ice Cream straight from the carton. He kept us laughing with his picking and pranks he pulled. He loved spending time with his family, especially the children. He was a friend to many, well known and loved in the community, and never met a stranger.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Dessie Bennett of Port Arthur, Dolly Richard of Houma, Louisiana, Amy Lavergne of Rayne, Louisiana, and brother U.V. of Houston. Jay is survived by wife Rose B. Walsh of Fannett, children Pauline Jacobson and husband Kent of St. John, Virgin Islands, Betty Dismukes and husband Rick of Fannett, Dana Hargraves and Roger Heider of Greenbrier, Arkansas, and James G. Walsh and wife Greta of Spring Hill, Tennessee; stepsons Randy Granger of West Orange, Terral Granger and wife Petra of Lippstadt, Germany, Michael Granger and wife Cheral of Walker, Louisiana, ten grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren. He has numerous nieces and nephews including Gerald Lavergne and Rickie Lynn Duke.
We are ever thankful for the angels who gave their unceasing love and devotion in the last year and a half as his body and mind slowly diminished. There is no way to express our thanks for the loving care that they gave “Sir Jay”. He loved his girls. Thank you to Melody Mondy, Ems Velayo, Frankie Elliott and Beulah Cathey for caring for him like their own father. We would also like to thank the staff of Harbor Hospice House on Major Drive for your excellent care and dedication.
A gathering of family and friends will take place on Friday, June 19, 2015, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Broussard’s Mortuary in Nederland. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am at the same location on Saturday, June 20, 2015 with Interment to follow at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the 307th Bombardment Group, 4015 Pendleton Drive, Spring Hill, Tennessee 37174 or via www.307bg.net or VFW Post 4820, 1006 Port Neches Ave, Port Neches, Texas 77651.
