James “Jim” Collis, Sr.

James “Jim” Collis, Sr., 87, of Beaumont, died Friday, February 14, 2025, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. He was born on September 26, 1937, to Verna Mae Harper Collis and Charles Collis, in Bakersfield, California, and was a United States Air Force veteran.

Jim spent most of his professional career in Plant Operations and Maintenance at the Goodyear Beaumont Chemical Plant and was one of the early employees at the plant when he joined in 1962, until his retirement after 37 years.

In his spare time, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He had a mantra of “Working to live, not living to work”, which allowed him to enjoy his family and hobbies.  He was a big kid at heart and enjoyed playing ping pong, football and basketball with the neighborhood kids.

Jim especially enjoyed vacationing and traveling worldwide with his wife and family and had quite a list of countries and destinations under his belt. His favorite destinations were The Greek Isles and Thailand.

He was an avid Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Texas Longhorns football fan.

After retirement he continued to enjoy gardening and travel.

Jim was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church for 42 years. His faith was strong and unwavering!

Survivors include his wife, Connie Collis; son, James Collis, Jr. of Lumberton; daughters, Debra Matherson and her husband, Jeff, of Katy; Sandy Davis of Beaumont; and Deanna Borden and her husband, Larry, of Saint Jo, Texas; son, Wyatt “Bubba” Sexton and his wife, Lisa, of Cedar Park; sister, Nelda Malone of Goliad; grandchildren, David Sprinkle of Beaumont; Amanda Sprinkle of Saint Jo; Justin Aguilar of Phoenix, Arizona; Ashley Howard of Santa Ana, California; Jeremy Davila of Manor; Brent Davila of Los Angeles, California; Lindsey Matherson of Seattle, Washington; Ambrosio Sexton of Cedar Park; Tomas Sexton of Hutto; and Aiden Sexton of Cedar Park; great-grandchildren, Isabella Graves and Aubree Graves, both of Pensacola, Florida; Alexa Sampson of Saint Jo; Miles Davila of Manor; and Sophia Sampson of Saint Jo.

Memorial contributions may be made to Some Other Place, P.O. Box 0843, Beaumont, Texas 77704.

A Rosary for Mr. Collis will be recited at 5:00 p.m., with a gathering of his family and friends to follow until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2025, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.