James Edward Cecil's Obituary
CECIL, JAMES EDWARD was born March 24, 1939 in Dallas, Texas to Kenneth and Ruby Cecil and passed away February 22, 2014. James married Melba O’Briant on June 28, 1956 at East Grand Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. They spent 57and a half happy years together. James served his country as part of the US Army from 1962-1964 being honorably discharged and being awarded The Good conduct medal and qualified as a top marksman. In his early career, James was an auto mechanic and later, went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone where he started as a switchman and then was promoted to management over house service and then building operations where he worked for 35 years until his retirement. After his retirement, he was a full time volunteer and served as a handyman for widowed women. He served as the construction liason for the building of Grandview Baptist Church. James was a lifelong member of East Grand Baptist, later Grandview Baptist where he served as a deacon 31 years. James was a proud christian and his life showed his love for the Lord. James was an avid fisherman, hunter, excellent ping-pong and domino player and family man. He enjoyed spending time with his family at their lake home and involving his family in his many interests and hobbies.He was excellent at working with his hands. He was a loving father and pepaw who always put his family first. James is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Melba. His children, son Kenneth Cecil and wife Michelle, and his daughter, Mitzi Cecil and his 3 grandchildren Bradley, Kristian, and Brooke and his grand hog Guillermo, grand dog Skeeter, and grand cat Spazz. He is also survived by his brother, Marvin Cecil. Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at Restland Memorial Chapel. Pall bearers, Cliff Green, Mike Minor, Matt Chadwick, Chad Monaghen, Bradley Stannard, Randy Montgomery. Honorary pall bearers are, Kristian Cecil, Bill Graham, Mark Cohen, Tony Rodriguez.. Special thanks to care-giver, Tiffany Polk-Shepard.
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