James Hagan Beare

James Hagan Beare was born on October 30, 1954 in Duncan, Oklahoma. He arrived as the fourth son, and youngest of six children, born to Robert and Billie Jo Beare.

Growing up the youngest child in a large family and in a small town was a both a blessing and a trial for James. The blessing was in the freedom to roam with his brothers and cousins exploring the creek down the way, camping and fishing with his family, finding friends and getting into all the mischief available to a young boy. The trial, as he probably saw it, was being the youngest child in a large family, in a small town where every one knew your parents and many of them were also related to you! When he wasn't being overly protected by his older siblings, he was being tormented by them so they could make sure he would be "tough enough".

James grew up healthy and strong in spite of the funnel cloud passing over his head as he was running home during storm one day and his life was only truly in danger when he went hunting with his brothers. After taking some accidental buckshot from his older brother Jerry, James could only exclaim "You shot me! I can't believe you shot me!" Although he loved to hunt, after that he always kept Jerry in front of him!

Shortly after graduating from high school, James voluntarily served his church as a full-time missionary and was called to serve in the Tokyo, Japan mission. As with all foreign language missions in the church, James was given some intensive language training and then placed with a more experienced companion amongst the people he would be working with in Japan. Along with many faith-promoting and learning experiences, over the two year period James became fluent in speaking Japanese. He gained a love for the Japanese people and a respect for their customs and culture.

Then after returning home from his mission he enlisted in the Navy. Taking note of his language skills, they sent him back to the Pacific Rim area. He served on the USS Enterprise and the USS Midway with ports in Japan and Australia. He was a specialist in Anti-submarine Air controller.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, James moved to the Dallas area to be close to his brothers and sisters, obviously having forgiven his brothers for the infamous shooting incident, and eventually graduated from the University of Texas, Arlington. His training and career was in Information Technology and he worked at Trinity River Authority, Hagar Corporation, and Zales Corporation. James loved technology (or electronic toys as Amy described it) and naturally that included everything related to science fiction. He was an avid reader and enjoyed research on family history and genealogy.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Amy Gately Beare and his sons, Ryan and Jackson Beare, and by his loving brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Services will be conducted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2801 Skyline Drive, Mesquite, TX 75149 at 10:00 a.m.

Interment services will be conducted at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce, Texas at 1:30 p.m.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church.