James Edwin Fant, Jr.

James Edwin Fant, Jr. James Edwin Fant, Jr., 88, born April 19, 1922 died Jan.1, 2011, at his home in Groves, with his loved ones at his side. James retired from Gulf Oil Corp. Machinist Dept. after 40 years and 3 months of service in 1981. He served in the U. S. Navy as plane captain PBY's-B-24s, during WWII, from 1942-1945. Jim was a lifetime resident of Groves and member of VFW Post 797, Faternal Order of the Eagles, and American Legion Post 7 of Port Arthur. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves . A military graveside will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. A visitation for family and friends will be Monday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers are his six grandsons, with Pete Blanchard and Bubba Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be: James, Robert, Unkie, Richard Foret, Bill and Mark Blanchard, Thomas and Chuck Roberts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bella Marie and James Edwin Fant, Sr., his son, James Edwin Fant, III. Jim is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jo Ellen Blanchard Fant of Groves, their daughter, Sherry Morgan and husband, Henry of Port Arthur, daughter, Mary Kay Swafford and husband, Johnny of Sam Rayburn, son, Timothy P. Fant and wife, Lee Anna of Lucedale, MS. and daughter-in-law, Rita Fant of Houston. Ten grandchildren, Tracy (James) Colvin, Dusty(Wallace) Daily, Melissa (Gary) Stein, Rowdy (Beth) Swafford, Cody (Shannon) Swafford, Joseph Fant, James Fant, Bill Morgan, Clayton (Tara) Morgan, and Carrie (Clint) Fontenot, and 20 great grandchildren. Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to the charity of their choice.