James Thomas Baumgartner

James Thomas Baumgartner of Kemp, Texas passed away on April 9, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born on January 13, 1938 to Emil and Velma Baumgartner of Elmo, Texas. James was a loving father to his two sons Dwayne and Danny, and his daughter Annette.

James was born into a loving family with humble means and worked from an early age wherever he could find work; local store, farms etc. James worked on a dairy farm at 12 walking to and from everyday. He also worked with the local Veterinarian as his helper catching cattle and horses, and helping with difficult deliveries. He went to work for Austin Bridge Company with his older brother Gene when he was 14 building the bridges on highway 80 from Forney to Edgewood as a rodbuster placing steel rebar. Later he became a truck driver for the Dr. Pepper Company in Wills Point serving Kaufman, Van Zandt and Hunt Counties. He would soon transition to Plastics Manufacturing Company in Oak Cliff where he would work for the next 41 years. James was a bright, hard worker that was eager to learn and do a good job. It was his work ethic that set him apart and quickly he would catch the attention of his supervisors, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Sullivan who would mentor him. James would eventually rise to supervisor over two major departments within the company: the tool and die and polish departments. James, after retirement was then approached by his two sons, Dwayne and Danny to start a new business adventure with them. They together opened up 3D Mechanical Service Company where they performed commercial heating, air conditioning, and plumbing service and construction. 3D stood for Dwayne, Danny and Dad.

James loved his family and he loved sports, hunting and fishing. Many family weekends, holidays and vacations were spent camping and spending time at the lake. It was the best of worlds for his children who loved waking up to opportunities to fish, swim, eat, ski and put on repeat. James was an incredible water skier. Time at the lake was filled with trick skiing that even involved human pyramids. James could take off from the shoreline and return to the bank without getting anything higher than his ankles wet. As expressed best by his youngest son, Danny, the sentiment was felt by all three of his children “That’s my Dad!”. As mentioned, James loved hunting and fishing and took time to patiently teach each of his children to respect firearms and to use them proficiently and safely. James loved fishing and even worked with his good friend/ uncle in law to build a barge pontoon boat so that multiple families could all go out and enjoy the cooler summer evenings and nights crappie fishing and playing cards on Lake Tawakoni.

James was an incredible, non-judgmental listener. He was the person that you could bare your soul to and know that your confidence was safe with him. He was slow to give advice but willing to share if asked his best opinion and then cheer you on. James was the person in the family that did not feel the need to fill space with his own chatter but loved the chatter of others and when he did speak he had everyone's attention. James lived his faith by how he lived his life; being willing to be a servant to others, helping others less fortunate, not forgetting the widow, taking care of elderly friends, having an accepting and loving heart to all of God’s children.

James loved his children and his grandchildren. After his divorce from his first wife, Shirley; the children’s mother, the two of them would make sure that birthdays and every Christmas was spent with the entire family putting the kids first and setting aside anything that might jeopardize the time with family. James loved being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and hearing of their exploits. He was happiest when the family was present in his home sharing food and good times.

James also loved nature whether it was a trip to Yellowstone National Park with family or looking out his window and watching the birds and cows. It was almost always “a beautiful day” when he was looking outside.

James is survived by his first wife and friend, Shirley Jones; son, Dwayne Baumgartner and wife Terri; daughter, Annette Baumgartner and spouse Marie; son, Danny Baumgartner and wife Gaylene; grandchildren, Elizabeth Bates and husband Reagan, Chris Baumgartner and wife Angela, Lauren Baumgartner, Lindsey Baumgartner, and Denver Baumgartner; great-grandchildren, Landry, Savannah, and Cheyene Bates, as well as niece Carol Green and husband Warren, niece Darlene Burnitt and husband Ebbie, nephew Doug Baumgartner and wife Darlene. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Velma Baumgartner, brothers Gordan Ward and Eugene Baumgartner, sisters Alma Baker and Charlene Johnson. As well as, other beloved family and friends.

Services to celebrate James’ life will be held at Parker- Ashworth Funeral Home located at 2217 South Washington Street, Kaufman, Texas 75142 on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects and honor James’ memory.

James will be dearly missed but forever remembered by those his life touched. “Love leaves behind more than death could ever take away”.