Grayson County TXGenWeb

The Herald Democrat
July 17, 2009

Jimmie Oliver Rector passed away July 16, 2009 in Corpus Christi at the age of 86. Graveside services were held at Oakwood Cemetery Sunday, July 19, 2009. Services were under the direction of Meador Funeral Home.
He was born October 26, 1922 in Cleburne and raised in Sherman where he met Elouise. They were friends since they were 8 years old.
His ambition was to join the US Navy, so he enlisted November 12, 1940 and retired as a Commissioned Warrant Officer on December 1, 1960. During that time he survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and engaged in many battles during the war while on board the USS Murray. He was active in battles at Wake Island, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Guam, Rabaul, Tatawa, Kwajalein, Eninetok Atoll, Kavieng, Aitape, Hollandia, Wewak Harbor, Morotai, Leyte Gulf, Ryukyu, Okinawa, and Jaluit Atoll. He was awarded the following medals: Asiatic Pacific Defense Ribbon, Mediterranean Ribbon, Philippine Defense Ribbon, China Service Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, Occupation Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon and 13 battle stars. Before his retirement, he served on board four ships and had been around the world twice.
After 20 years in the service, he retired in Whitesboro, where he served as the city manager and later as director of the Urban Renewal Agency in Whitesboro and Georgetown. He also served as the director of the Community Development Agency in Sherman.
His civic services included the Optimist Club, Rotary Club, State of Texas Urban Renewal Association, organizer/founder of the Whitesboro Public Library, Civil Defense Director, Chamber of Commerce, Grayson County College Technical Occupation Advisory Committee, Texas Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Rehab. Officials, Retired Officers Association, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and was honored by being named Citizen of the Year in 1974 by the Whitesboro Rotary Club.
Jim is survived by son, Jimmy Dan Rector and wife, Denise; granddaughter, Connie Lee Medley and husband, Monty; four great-grandchildren, Montgomery, Garrison, Scout and Sloane; brother, Albert "Val" Rector; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Rector.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Elouise Rector; his parents, J.T. and Daisey Rector; sister, Jewel Reynolds; brother, Sam Rector.