James "Jim" F. Langford

James “Jim” F. Langford passed away in New Braunfels, TX, from this life on earth to God’s Kingdom on 10 November 2021. Jim was born in October 1930 in Mertens, TX, to Charles Keene Langford and Bonnie Shirley Langford. Jim was the 6th child in a family of 7 children. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters. Jim joined his loving wife, Bea, who left this earth for heaven on 29 August 2013. Jim graduated from Mertens High School. His first non-farm job was with Bell Telephone for 3 months in Waco, TX, followed by 2 years with Texas Power and Light Co. in Mertens, TX. During the Korean War he joined the U.S. Navy and served for 45 months as a ship electrician on two destroyers, the USS Marshall DD 676 and the USS O’Bannon DD 450. Jim married the love of his life, Vera Beatrice Rucker, in 1954. He attended Texas A&I University at Kingsville, TX, graduating as an Electrical Engineer in 1959. Upon graduation he worked for 7 years with City Public Service Board in San Antonio, TX. He next worked 21 years in Civil Service for both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army (at Kelly AFB for 14 years and at Ft Sam Houston for 7 years). After retiring, he resumed work for 7 years as a consultant for K. M. Ng Engineering firm in San Antonio, TX. He is survived by his daughter Bonnie Bea Langford Schmidt and her husband David G. Schmidt, grandson John Schmidt, New York City; granddaughters Jamie Schmidt and Jewel Schmidt (all of Grapevine, TX); son John W. Langford and his wife Holly D. Langford of San Antonio, TX; granddaughters Michelle Langford, London, England, and Stephanie Langford of Virginia. When Texas legalized the lottery in the 90s, Jim was fond of saying that he and Bea had won the lottery twice with the birth of their son and daughter. He was a firm believer that family should be his priority, and he never stopped telling his children and grandchildren how special they were to him. He also believed he had been blessed many times over. The Lord was Jim’s guiding force throughout his life, and he faithfully trusted that God answered prayers. His other passions were enjoying the countryside, talking to his cows, and sometimes rubbing their heads—and he roped more than a few bulls in his time. He had an amazing mechanical mind and curiosity, which he used to repair things and rig contraptions to make his life easier (sometimes to the consternation of his children). The family gives their heartful thanks to Mariko, Dorothy, Michael, Liz, Raquel, Amanda, Navyl, and Marcia for their loving care of him, as well as to Hope Hospice for their compassionate support. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice or to the Alzheimer's Association (of which his wife Bea suffered). The Celebration of Life for Jim will be 1PM Tuesday, 23 November at Lux Funeral Home in New Braunfels.