James "Jimmy" Bayard Abbott

James Jimmy Bayard Abbott, 66, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, entered into the Glory of the Lord on June 22, 2011 at his home.

He was born in Brownsville, Texas on July 27, 1944 and lived here except during the years
he served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Freddy Abbott and Gladys Abbott, and numerous beloved aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Schooley, his children Heather of Austin, R. Perry Cassie of Virginia Beach, VA, his brother, Freddy Carol of Virginia Beach, VA, his sisters Priscilla of Victoria and Alice of Brownsville, his precious grandchildren Christopher Michael Abbott and Hannah Riley Abbott , dear cousins, niece, and nephews, his best friend, Pete Moore of Harlingen and treasured friends too numerous to name from Scouting, Walk to Emmaus, Kairos Prison Ministries, First Presbyterian Church, AA and his life work as a carpenterbuilder.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Brownsville at the corner of Palm and Elizabeth on Tuesday June 28, 2011 at 4 pm. You are requested to dress in Jimmy Casual NO black, shorts, bright shirts, sandals.

He treasured a childhood of close family ties and joyful experiences as a boy when life was a never ending adventure and he knew everyone and they knew him. He never tired of telling about those fond, adventurous and often hair raising times.

During his youth he spent endless hours as a Boy Scout in First Presbyterian Church Troop 3 under the guidance of his father, Freddy Abbott, Scoutmaster. It was during those early Scout years of summers at Camp Perry that he met Pete Moore who was to become his lifelong friend and brother. So many of his experiences in Scouts were to form the foundation of his lifes work and circle of friends.

After completing his two years of service as a weatherman in the United States Air Force he extended his time and volunteered to go to Vietnam where he was attached to the Big Red One as a weatherman. He had many good memories of his service years and was proud to be a Vietnam veteran.

Upon returning to Brownsville he began his work in the construction trades and opened his own business as JIM ABBOTT CONSTRUCTION. He took pride as a carpenterbuilder and loved making dream projects a reality. The results of his handiwork will stand as a testimony to his skills and can be seen all over Brownsville, Harlingen, South Padre Island, Bayview, Laguna Vista, Los Fresnos, and McAllen.

Jimmy remained active in Boy Scouts and was a Scoutmaster for Troop 3 for more than 25 years. He was proud to have achieved Order of the Arrow and Woodbadge for Scout Leaders.

In 1976 Jimmy met Janet and as they say, the rest was history. They married in 1978 and lived in the funkazoid house on Central Avenue that was to go from 460 sq feet to over 4000 during seven remodels.

In 1979 Heather Hope was born to the delight of her parents and became the light of their lives. In 1982 they were blessed by a son, Ross Perry, who joined the family and made it complete. All the years of their childrens childhoods were filled with great joy and family times.

In 1990 Jimmy went on the Walk to Emmaus and his life was changed forever as he began walking with Jesus in a very personal relationship. This relationship with Christ was to change his life and history.

Jimmy began 21 years of walking as a disciple for Christ proclaiming the Good News of the Risen Lord and how it had changed his life and given him faith and hope eternal. All who knew him saw some Jesus with skin on. His greatest delight was to be that reflection of Christ to others.

During the last twentyone years of his walk with Jesus he was very active as a musician on many Emmaus and Chrysalis teams and serving as the musician on the Inside Teams in the Kairos Prison Ministry in the McConnell Unit in Beeville and the Segovia Unit in Edinburg. His greatest delight was serving Christ in this way.

Jimmys sobriety was extremely important to him and he was always available to reach out to anyone at any time to assist them in their struggles with addiction. His ministry in this work was also enriched by his Christian witness. In April he celebrated his 30th year of sobriety.

Jimmy treasured the opportunities he and Janet had to travel to Hawaii to see Perry and Cassie in 2008 and two cruises in 2009, including one with Heather. Two summer month long trips with their grandson to visit Perry and Cassie in Virginia were highlights. During his last days he was still planning the next cruise.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Beverly Zavaleta and staff Ian, Teresa, Brenda, Mary Dr. Sivam, Dr. Habit, and the precious staff of the Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic Linda, Maria Elena, Perla, Mary, Mercedes, Richard for the kind, loving and gentle care he received. You made his life easier by your sweet touch.

In lieu of flowers, Jimmys family is requesting that memorial gifts be made in his name to the Boy Scouts of America Camp Perry Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 2424, Harlingen, TX 78551 Kairos Prison MinistriesSegoiva Unit co 1008 West 8th Street, Weslaco, TX 78596 Juan Trevino Memorial Music Scholarship Fund, First Presbyterian Church, 450 Palm Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78520 or to the donors favorite charity.

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