By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

BRIDGE CITY — In a tragic accident, on Saturday, Judge James ‘Jimmy’ Scales III, age 65, passed away.

The shocking news spread throughout the area quickly as friends and family mourn the loss of a much loved and respected man.

Scales, who was named Bridge City’s Citizen of the Year in 2012 by the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce, was Municipal Judge in Bridge City for 21 years, and was Chairman for Southeast and Deep East Texas Red Cross, Vice President of the Orange County Drainage District, past Booster President for Bridge City High School, volunteered with the Bridge City Little League and owner of Scales Construction and Scales Portable Buildings.

He was also past Board Member of Bridge City Little League, Bridge City Pony League, and Bridge City Youth Basketball League. He was a contributing founding member and the first president of the Bridge City High School Baseball Booster Club and the Bridge City Athletic Booster Club.

He was also active with the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Scales also served several positions from board member to director as well as Vice President of the Orange County Drainage District.

Jimmy is survived by his father, James Scales, Jr.; his loving wife of 43 years, former Orange County Parks Director Donna Scales; children, Jackie Scales, of Bridge City, James Scales IV and partner Cade Buller, of Bridge City, and Jerrid Scales and wife Alyssa, of Orangefield; granddaughter, Stella Claire Scales; siblings and their spouses, Johnny and Brenda Scales, Christy and Jessie Gonzales, Cyndie and Vance Chauvin, Susan Scales and Gail Barnhart, Kendall and Lisa Scales, Nancy and Lonny Biri, and Jodie and Andrew VanChau; and his brothers-in-law, Johnny and Connie Dorman and Larry Dale Dorman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Bridge City Animal Shelter at 295 Bower Dr., Bridge City, TX 77611.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 13, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City with Reverend Steven Leger officiating. Burial will follow at Dorman Cemetery in Orange.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.
In honor of his passing, Bridge City Municipal Court Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 12 and Thursday, July 13. City Hall Office will be closed on Thursday, July 13.