Honoring the Life of Reverend James Means Jr.
~A Life Well Remembered~
On Monday June 1, 1936, a beautiful bundle of joy was born to James
Means and Essie Sanders in Tehuacana, Texas. He brought an enormous
amount of joy and happiness to his parents. He made his triumphant transi�tion to glory on January 15, 2023 with his eyes looking toward Heaven. As�suredly, the angels rejoiced at his arrival..
James received his education within Wortham Independent School District
where he graduated from W. F. Wheeler School. He later decided to serve
his country and enlisted in the military. He proudly served his country as a
member of The United States Marines Corps. He advanced through the ranks
in the Marine Corp and became a Gunnery Sargent from which he retired as
in February of 1976. A Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) is the seventh enlisted
rank in the United States Marine Corps, so that was an incredibly special
accomplishment for him! He also served as a US Marine Chaplain and did it
with humility and faithfulness. While serving his country, he received nu�merous medals and badges, and was honored with several awards such as the
Presidential Unit Citation and National Defense Service Medal.
James was blessed with four children. On December 12, 1976, he wed Grace
Kirven and to this union he was blessed with four step children. He was a
devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a caring friend to many.
His generosity and kindness were limitless. He cherished his family above
all and treated everyone with love and respect. He was intelligent, kind, and
always had a smile on his face. He was equally loved dearly by his family
and friends and highly respected by all. He was definitely a man of honor.
He trusted God completely and listened daily for God's instructions. He was
selfless, lived to please God and tried to allow God to order his steps. He
was a great example of a man that followed God, and there is no doubt his
legacy followed him to Heaven.
James became an active member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in
Plano, Texas under the leadership of Dr. Isiah Joshua, Jr. and remained a
member until his demise.
He is preceded in death by his parents James and Essie; children Valerie and
Ronald; step children Veta and Pam; sisters Ruby Rae and Dora Mae.
James is survived by his loyal and devoted wife Grace of forty seven years;
his beautiful children Veranda and Vicki; his loving step children Kenneth
and Edward and a host of loving grandchildren, extended family and friends.
He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by those who knew and
loved him