James Don Magee 83, of Vidor, Texas, went to be with Our Lord on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Harbor Hospital in Orange, Texas.

He was a resident of Vidor for 81 years and was a member of United Methodist Church of Vidor. James was drafted in his junior year of high school into the Army in World War II then transferred to Army Air Corps. He returned to finish Vidor High School with the class 1947. He then went on to graduate from Sam Houston University and returned to teach at the Vidor schools for 8 years. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard during summer breaks.

He left Vidor schools to work for Bridgestone Firestone in Orange, Texas. He was quite an adventurous fellow. He was a charter member of the First Neches Ski Club. He built and flew his gyro-glider in ski shows in Texas and in Louisiana, was an avid private pilot and member of Experimental Aircraft Association. He rebuilt and flew a Stinson aircraft across the US. He rode his bicycle from Sabine Pass to Nipigon Bay, Canada. After retiring from Bridgestone Firestone he took a bicycle trip across Australia.

Preceded in death by his father and mother, Don & Ella Magee in Rose City, brother John Abram Magee. Survived by his wife of 57 years, Alta Sue Magee, brothers Raymond Magee & Paul Magee, daughters: Carmen Suzanne Magee, Peggy Munk & her husband Louis Munk, Connie Said & her husband Samuel Said, Jennifer Whitaker & her husband Kevin Whitaker. He has 13 grandchildren: Ben Duhon, Donavin Duhon, James Duhon, Michelle Corbitt, Kasey Corbitt, Jessica White, Jeremy Forrest, Krystina Thompson, Peter Said, Lee Whitaker, Madeline Whitaker, Preston Whitaker, Aaron Whitaker, 9 great grandchildren, Hannah Duhon, Elizabeth Duhon, Benjamin Duhon, Isaiah Duhon, Karen Duhon, Simon White, Casper White, Allison White, Bryce Thompson, another child is expected 10th in March 2011.

Pallbearer's are Donavin Duhon, James Duhon, Kasey Corbitt, Lee Whitaker, Kevin Magee and David Samuelson. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, October 4, 2010 at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor , with burial to follow at Hayman Cemetery in Cold Spring, TX at 2:00 p.m.. Visitation will begin at 6:00 P.M. Sunday, October 3, 2010 at Memorial Funeral Home.

Published in The Beaumont Enterprise on October 2, 2010