James Earl Calico

James Earl Calico, beloved son, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend was born to the late A.W. and Armie Dean Wilcoxen Calico on October 18, 1953, in Kilgore, TX. He is the 6th child of 9. James departed this earthly life for a life of glory with the Lord on Wednesday morning, January 4, 2017.

James began his education at North Chapel School. He later attended the Sabine School District from which he graduated in 1971. James moved to California to further his post-secondary education. He attended Allen Hancock Jr. College and graduated with an Associate's Degree in 1973. James continued his studies at Chapman University where he graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Physical Education and a minor in food services in 1975.

James immediately began his career in food services and quickly became the Director of Food Services at the University of Redlands. As an employee of the SAGA Food Corporation, James became the Director of Food Services at the University of Oklahoma. Next, he went on to be the Director of Food Services in Colorado.

Longing for home and family, James moved back to Texas in 1988 and worked for a short time in the P.E. field with the Sabine School District.

James soon moved back into his favorite field of work and became the manager of the Hot Biscuit in Longview for over 10 years. Next, he moved to Grandy's and became the morning manager where he stayed for 27 years until the Lord called him home.

James meet Sandy Burrell in Lompoc, California in 1974. After changing careers and states, God put James and Sandy back in each other's path for a match that was destined to flourish. James and Sandy were married on April 9, 1994. To this blessed union, was born one son, Joshua James Eddie Robert Calico.

James garnered numerous food service awards, but his blessing from the Lord was his ability to reach out to those in need of a helpingh hand. Adding to his adopted son, Ronnie Calico, James became a foster parent to Brent Myles and more recently Victor Jessie. At any time, James shared his home with young men looking for a house packed with love. Ten such young men have called him dad.

James began his walk with the Lord as a member of the County Line Church of the Living God, PGT in Kilgore, Texas at an early age. He continued his Christian walk as a member of the Longview Baptist Temple.

James is preceded in death by his parents A. W. and Armie Dean Calico; Godmother, Mae Ella Kelley; 3 nephews, Robert Gabriel Calico, Jareed Thibodeaux, and Tory Fuller. Left to cherish his loving memory is his wife, Sandra Calico, Longview, TX; 2 sons, Ronnie Calico (Kay), Tomball, TX; Joshua James Eddie Robert Calico, Longview, TX; 6 grandchildren, Juliana, Joshua James Eddie Robert Jr, Aubree, Shonte, Tiffany and Audrey; 2 great granchildren, Cash and Brantley; 9 brothers and sisters, William Calico (Alma), Kilgore, TX; Mary Jones (LA), Longview, TX; Alice Thibodeaux (Jerald), Garland, TX; Sherrion Fuller (Raymond), Dallas, TX; Robert Calico, Kilgore, TX; Rosemary Calico-Hopson (Hermann), Baytown, TX; LaJoyce Walters-Thompson (Harold), Longview, TX; Allen Calico (Mapplelean), Dallas, TX; and Mary Lee Ates, Winona, TX; 6 sister and brother-in-laws, Dionne Burrell, Long Beach, CA; Teresa Walker (Michael), Atlanta, GA; George Burrell, Northern, CA; Phillip Burrell, Denver, CO; Daniel Burrell (Elba), Lompoc, CA; Michelle Jean-Pierre (Mark), Sacramento, CA; His like a little brother, nephew Eugene Allen Jones, his best friend, George Roque, several special friends, a host of nieces and nephews, numerous other relatives and countless friends.