Cover photo for Raymond James Magness's Obituary
Raymond James Magness Profile Photo
1938 Raymond 2008

Raymond James Magness

July 17, 1938 — July 17, 2008

Raymond James Magness passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008, at his home in Baytown, Texas, after a stoic battle with pancreatic cancer. He met his Lord and Savior on his 70th birthday.
Jim was born July 17, 1938, in Churchpoint, La., the son of Una Marie and John C. Magness. He graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in Orange, Texas, in 1956 and served as a radio operator for four years in the United States Air Force while stationed in England.
After returning to Texas, he met and married Delores Eileen Stevens in 1964. Jim played semipro baseball and went to work for United States Steel in Orange, Texas, where he worked for 22 years. After taking an early retirement from U.S. Steel, Jim worked independently as a general contractor.
Jim was a member of the Catholic Church and a fourth-degree brother in the Knights of Columbus.
Through the years, he dedicated much of his time, effort, and resources toward helping those in need. He was widely respected by his numerous "friends in low places," who knew him affectionately as "Coonass." He had a legendary memory for jokes and could entertain a crowd for hours on end.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Cates Magness; mother, Una Marie Magness; daughter, Cynthia Marie Magness; granddaughter, Casey Marie Magness; brother, John Kennith Magness; and brother-in-law, Brandon Brantley.
He is survived by his sons, Greg Magness of Austin, Texas; Robbie Magness and wife, Wendy, of Baytown, Texas; daughter, Amy Magness, of Houston; grandchildren, Timothy, Derian and Braden Magness, of Baytown; and Jacob and Alec Melton, of Houston; stepmother, Lida Magness, of Golden, CO.; sister, Francis Winters, of Hobbs, N.M.; brother, Kenneth Magness and wife, Cheryl, of Pittsburgh, PA.; sister, Charlotte Brantley, of Golden, CO.; brother, Bill Magness and wife, Jessica, of Austin, TX;and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
Visitation will begin Sunday at 5:00 p.m. and a rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., both at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orange at 11:00 a.m. Monday. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens cemetery in Bridge City.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in his name to: American Hospice, 11200 Richmond, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77082.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond James Magness, please visit our flower store.

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