James “Jimmy” A. Gentz

James Arthur “Jimmy” Gentz was a lifelong resident of Winnie, Texas. He was born January 12, 1929 in Port Neches, Texas to Carrie Mudd Gentz and Oliver Gentz. He graduated from East Chambers High School in 1946 and married Louise Graham in August of 1950. He passed peacefully from this earth on November 23, 2017 in his favorite chair with his boots on.

Jimmy started farming just after he graduated from high school. Since his father did not farm, he had no equipment available. His first crop of rice, planted in 1947 was 23 acres, cultivated by using rented equipment.

In 1950, Freddie Breaux helped him plant his crop and that year Jimmy bought his first tractor, a “Popin” John Deere tractor for $2,495. For several years he farmed 250 acres alone with one tractor and some  help when pulling the levees. He farmed from 1947-2007. Along with farming, Jimmy raised cattle and in 1979 he started a herd of Registered Texas Longhorn Cattle which now numbers 200.

Jimmy was a member of several agricultural organizations which included American Rice Growers, Winnie Rice Farmers Cooperative Association, Chambers County Farm Bureau, Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, International Texas Longhorn Association and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Winnie.

He is survived by his son James Arthur Gentz, Jr and daughter in law Carol Barton Gentz of Winnie. His grandchildren, Rachel and Wayne Ogden of Cedar Park, Tx, John and Jennifer McLarty of Wichita Falls, Tx, Patrick and Emily McLarty of Ponder, Tx, Chris and Trina McLarty of Round Rock, Tx, Austen Gentz and Taylor Fontenot of Winnie, Tx and great-grandchildren Emily and Elliot Ogden, Noah, Jordan and Nathan McLarty, Hank McLarty, Caitlyn and Matthew McLarty and Rylan Fontenot. Also his domino partners and his extended family at the bar.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents Carrie Mudd Gentz and Oliver Gentz; his wife Louise Graham Gentz; his son Charles “Charlie” Gentz; and his daughter Donna Gentz Mclarty.

A gathering of Mr. Gentz’s family and friends will be 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at First United Methodist Church of Winnie, 1708 SH 124, Winnie. His funeral will be at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, November 30, 2017, at the church, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie. Services under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.

lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to The First United Methodist Church of Winnie, 1708 SH 124, Winnie.