James Milford Seitz, 88, of Bridge City, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home after a short battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, January 7, 2018 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Bridge City. Officiating will be Reverend Mark Bunch. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Texarkana, Texas, on April 29, 1929, James attended Lon Morris Jr. College, traveling with the Lon Morris Quartet and graduated from Sam Houston State University.

In 1952 he married the late Ramona Flanders and had 3 children. He taught at Little Cypress High School where he founded a chapter of the Future Farmers of America. He later worked at Firestone/ Bridgestone for 37 years. James was a lifelong Methodist and active in church, serving in various capacities, singing in the choir and presenting programs with his wife Bertie. He had a curious and philosophical intelligence along with a kind and loving heart. He enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, camping, leading tours at Shangri La, taking photographs, gardening, writing and making others laugh from his puns. He enjoyed his family and watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona Flanders Seitz; stepson, Kenneth Ross Dudley; grandson, David Wayne Dudley; and brother, Shelby Seitz.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Bertie Cayard Seitz; children, Carol Courtney, Kate and husband Bill Massengale, Don and wife Catalina Seitz; step children, Wayne Dudley and wife Pat, Vicki Dudley, Maribeth Moore and husband Larry; grandchildren, Matthew Moore and wife Holly, Sarah Stutz and husband Troy, and Ashley Cox and husband Brandon; great grandchildren, Hannah, Maggie, Reese, Ella, Carson, Lydia, Kayleigh and Nolan; siblings, Jane Cunningham, Ethel Edwards and John Seitz.

Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Moore, Matthew Moore, Wayne Dudley, Don Seitz, Brandon Cox and Troy Stutz. Honorary pallbearers are the United Methodist Men.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ramona Seitz Memorial Library at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 1155 W. Roundbunch Rd, Bridge City, TX 77611.