James Marvin Edmondson Jr.

James Marvin (J.M.) Edmondson, Jr., passed away on July 4, 2024, in Lockhart, Texas, at the age of 86. He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on October 4, 1937, the third of five children of James Marvin Edmondson, Sr., and Edna Louella Spivey Edmondson. He grew up in Mathis, Texas, and graduated from Mathis High School (MHS) in 1956. Throughout his high school years, he was active in the MHS Future Farmers of America organization. In his senior year in high school, he served as Class President and was voted Sweetheart of the MHS Future Homemakers of America organization.

Following high school, J.M. attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Over the course of the next 58 years, he attended and/or graduated from five different universities. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi in 1960 and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southwest Texas State College, which later became Texas State University in 1962. He attended the University of Texas at Austin Law School in 1962-63 and obtained a Master of Science in Economics from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, which later became Texas A&M University/Kingsville in 1964. In 1973, J.M. earned another degree from Texas A&I University (Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education). In 1993, J.M. began a twenty-year journey of obtaining master’s degrees from Texas A&M Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). He was featured in the TAMUCC Newsletter on three separate occasions, recognizing him as an “Outstanding Islander” and the oldest student enrolled at TAMUCC.

In 2014, J.M. earned his Master of Science in Reading from TAMUCC (his tenth master’s degree). During the graduation ceremony, he was asked if he would like to say a few words. He told the story about one of his high school educators who was not complimentary regarding his academic endeavors. Following this story, J.M. said “As educators, I admonish you to always have and exhibit high expectations for all of your students,” whereupon he received a standing ovation from all the faculty, graduates, and other members in the audience.

J.M. married Barbara McLish on December 22, 1970. Before they divorced in 2000, they experienced many wonderful years together, including the birth of their two children, James Thomas (J.T.) Edmondson and Jennifer Kathleen McLish Edmondson. From 1964 to 1968, he taught school in Mathis. In 1977 and 1978, he served as Mayor of Mathis. As Mayor, he was responsible for creating/opening city parks in the name of every Mathis boy who was killed in the Vietnam War.

In 1982, J.M. was elected County Judge of San Patricio County and served eight years as Judge (two four-year terms), from January 1983 to January 1991. While serving as Judge, J.M. also served on the Board of Directors of the San Patricio Community Action Agency, including Board Chairman from 1986 through 1990. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Coastal Bend Council of Governments and received an award for perfect attendance at all general meetings and all executive board meetings from January 1983 to January 1991.

J.M. served as the Executive Director of the Mathis Housing Authority for 25 years. When he was hired in 1994, the Mathis Housing Authority was bankrupt. Due to his dedication, hard work, and honesty, the Authority’s bank account totaled over one million dollars at the time of his retirement in April 2019. He and his staff of five provided housing to 192 families. The one-hundred on-site units were never vacant and there was always a waiting list. Following his retirement, he moved to Lockhart,Texas to be near his siblings, and until his death they enjoyed gardening, playing bridge, and cooking together.

J.M. is survived by his children, J.T. and his wife Bonnie of Madison, Alabama, his daughter Kathleen of Yakima, Washington, and one grandchild Brandon Edmondson. He also leaves his siblings: sister Jody Edmondson King of Lockhart, Texas, brother Jerry Wayne Edmondson and his wife Carolyn of Denton, Texas, and Carol Edmondson Fisher and her husband Joe, of Austin, Texas, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Marvin and Edna Edmondson, his sister Mary Margaret Edmondson Schulze and nephew Justin Edmondson.

Arrangements are pending. J.M. will be laid to rest next to his parents at the Cenizo Hill Cemetery in Mathis, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home 361-547-3224 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com