James H. 'Jim' Napier, Jr., 64, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday July 1, 2006.

He fought through a long courageous battle with cancer until the very end. Jim was born on July 27, 1941 in Lampasas, TX to James Harold and Henryetta (Ratliff) Napier. He married Katie Mae Golden on March 2, 1963 in Odessa, TX. They had two children, Katie Renee Napier Hassell and Jamie Neil Napier. Jim served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1964. He moved to Denton in 1971 and worked for the City of Denton until 1979. He worked for Denton County MHMR from 1990 until his medical retirement in 2005. His time was spent doing everything he could with his family. He loved spending time with Katie, whether they were sitting on the front porch, traveling to the mountains or holding hands in the grocery store. His grandchildren were the apples of his eye and it was mutual admiration. His grandsons loved their Papa who loved to spoil them and encourage them in everything they did. He could always be found at their soccer, football, or baseball games, cheering them on with vigor. He loved socializing with friends and entertaining at his home. He was a faithful member of his church, Cooper Creek Baptist Church.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday July 6, 2006 at Cooper Creek Baptist Church, 4582 Fishtrap Rd., Denton, TX. Dr. Richard Montgomery, Rev. Buddy Owens and Rev. Bobby Bryan will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday July 5 at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Troy Mankin, Bob Stevens, Bob Huntsberger, Ron Adkins, Bill Justus, Paul Wilson. Survivors include his wife, Katie Napier of Krum. Two children, a daughter Renee Hassell and her husband Jeremy Hassell of Krum and a son Jamie Napier and his wife Vickie Napier of Denton. He also has five grandsons: Michael Napier, Tyler Napier, Hunter Napier, Jace Hassell and Blake Hassell. He is also survived by a sister Billie Richmond and husband William Richmond of Odessa and numerous nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Henryetta Napier and James Harold Napier, Sr. of Odessa and one brother Bobby George Napier and wife Carolyn Napier of Lufkin.

Memorials may be made to the Cooper Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 4582 Fishtrap Rd., Denton, TX 76208.