COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME - Key Persons
I remember Jim when I first started at Valspar on third shift. He came in to help train the employees about safety and ways to understand the job you were doing. That was 19 years ago, I personally appreciate his knowledge that he shared on the short time I knew him. Jim had a very cool personality. My deepest condolences go out to the family.
Mary and family, I am so sorry to hear of James's passing. James was your number one (man) and I loved the way he cared for you. Bonnie Clack (Gates)
Job Titles:
- Late Community Funeral Home Staff Member
Our deepest heartfelt condolences to the family. Continued prayers for comfort and strength during this difficult time! All our love, Dennis Family ✝️❤️
Job Titles:
- Late Community Funeral Home Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Late Community Funeral Home Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Late Community Funeral Home Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Pre - Need Insurance Counselor
Job Titles:
- Pre - Need Insurance Counselor
Mary Holmes and family you have our prayers, condolences and love. Sampson, Gloria Roberson and family
I knew Mr. Fortson for many years as I was a teacher at Sabine Elementary. He was a kind, thoughtful man who deeply cared about people and education . I send support to all his family. He will be so greatly missed.
Job Titles:
- President, Funeral Director, Insurance Sales
LeRoy Francis, Sr is a Tyler Native and the youngest of nine children. Mr. Francis graduated from Emmett J. Scott High School and received his BBA from Texas Southern University, Houston Texas as well as his MBA from Southern Methodist University of Dallas.
With the mission defined by the need for higher quality funeral service available to the community, came the opportunity to buy a funeral home in Tyler. He opened the "Community Funeral Home of Tyler", at its present location, 1429 North Border Avenue, Tyler, Texas. Community Funeral Home of Tyler has been on the cutting edge of change in a very dynamic industry which is in response to a more sophisticated consumer demand.
With the help of his family and great friends, he was able to grow the funeral home to its current status. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the professional staff that Community has, which he claims as FAMILY. The family environment is the attitude of his staff.
Job Titles:
- Pre - Need Insurance Counselor
My prayers and condolences are for all the loved ones and friends of our cousin and neighbor Mr. Johnny Gross Sr. Your strength and help comes from God he will never leave you are forsake you
Papa will be missed dearly. He was a great man and we love him so much.
I had the pleasure of having Mr.Forston as my principal at the intermediate school. My condolences to the Fortson family. He will be missed but never forgotten. Rest in Peace Mr.Fortson. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Sincerely, Monica Quintero
Mr. Bobby Elliott Fortson was born to Claude and Joyce Palmer Fortson on July 29, 1933 in Kilgore, Texas - Gregg County. The youngest of eight children, Bobby Fortson lived purposefully, fostering excellence, opportunity, and support for those around him. He accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and became a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Kilgore, Texas.
Bobby was raised in Kilgore and received his education at West Point School. He later graduated from North Chapel High School. A hallmark of his hardworking spirit, Bobby continued to pursue higher education at multiple universities. He attended Prairie View A&M University, where he received both a Bachelors and a Master of Science. He also received a Master of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin University. Over the course of many years, he completed additional credits at East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas, Texas A & M University, Texas Southern University, and University of Maryland.
After college, he was scheduled to be drafted into the U. S. Navy for two years but chose instead to go to the Army for three years. He served his country diligently on several continents after which he received an honorable discharge.
Bobby Fortson found Lora Jean Reddix, the love of his life, at Prairie View A&M. They united in Holy Matrimony on July 13, 1957, and were married for 66 years. Through all the seasons of life and marriage. Bobby and Lora committed to a love for the ages. They raised a beautiful family that has been forever marked with the lessons they modeled of hard work, hope, respect for others, kindness, and the importance of family.
Bobby harnessed his education and experience to impart into the lives of students in the East Texas community as well. Upon completion of his Master in Agriculture Education, Mr. Fortson taught in Wharton, Texas, and in Sabine ISD. While at Sabine ISD, he was promoted to principal and held the position of administrative assistant to the superintendent. His tenure as an educator included years of teaching vocational agriculture, social studies, and science.
During the 1970-71 school year, Mr. Fortson conducted a study of vocational education in the continental United States for the Ford Foundation. For the next ten years, he served as a counselor, vocational counselor, and educational diagnostician at Region VII Educational Service Center in Kilgore. He returned to Sabine as principal at the intermediate school, which became a state honor school. He was later moved to the Sabine Junior High School, which was recognized numerous times by the State Commissioner of Education. By June of 1981, Bobby had 11 Texas Teacher Certifications including Counselor, Superintendent, Mid-Management Administrator, Educational Diagnostician, and Principal. He retired in June 1996.
In addition to his professional career, his acumen for agriculture and hunting led him to earn awards from organizations such as the Hunting Hounds Division of the American Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club, the National Kennel Club, and the Professional Kennel Club. He was also a board member of the Upshur-Gregg Farm Service Agency and the Gregg County Farm Bureau. Bobby operated a small cow operation producing marketable pine and hardwood timber.
He entered eternal rest on Thursday, January 25, 2024, and was preceded in death by his son, Darryl Elliott Fortson, father, Claude Fortson; mother Joyce Palmer Fortson; four sisters - Marion Fortson Strong, Beadie Fortson Pentecost, Jessie Marie Warren, Ina Bell Fortson; three brothers - Calvin Fortson, Sr., Jeremiah Fortson and C.D. Fortson, Sr; and two sisters- in -law - Katherine Fortson, Mary Alice Fortson.
James Earl Holmes was born to the late Thomas & Mattie Holmes on May 6, 1944. He is the youngest of 11 siblings.
He attended and graduated from Jackson High School. He also graduated from Texas College and SMU University, Dallas, Texas.
Jeremy Brown was born June 17, 1976, to the parentage of Lavon Prince and Henry Brown in Tyler, Texas. He departed this life on February 22, 2024.
Jeremy attended and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School with the Class of 1994 continuing on with multiple certifications in engineering.
At early age, Jeremy was baptized at New Canaan Baptist Church in Whitehouse, Texas under the leadership of the late Rev. D.C. Brown.
He worked hard as a engineer draftsman for several sprinkler companies finalizing his career at Parson's Corporation. His fun past time was going to casinos with is mom and spending time with his family and kids. He lived in Las Vegas and Louisiana for a short period of his life, returning to Dallas in 2014.
I am sorry to learn of Jim's passing. I worked with Jim when he was a plant manager at the Valspar plant in Garland, TX. Jim was bar none my favorite plant manager within all of Valspar. He was an incredibly kind, thoughtful and calm plant manager...and he won the respect, admiration and loyalty of all co-workers for it. He was the steady and wise individual in the room. When Jim spoke, everyone listened. He was a one of a kind. All my best to his family during this difficult time.
Job Titles:
- Late Community Funeral Home Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Late Community Funeral Home Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Pre - Need Insurance Counselor
Job Titles:
- Late Community Funeral Home Staff Member
I am very sorry to hear of Jim Holmes passing. He was a great mentor to me as I joined Valspar under Jim's leadership. He was a gentleman and a caring leader who taught me many things about the business and life. He will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to Mary and family. God bless you and may Jim rest in eternal happiness. Tom and Sylvie Schill
I am immensely sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was loved by everyone who ever met him. When I came to Garland, he provided guidance, expertise, strength, and clear evidence of a natural and well respected leader. I considered Jim a valuable friend who could be counted on to always do what was right and to give respect to everyone. Jim was THE man in his job and was a real man in his personal life. There is no doubt that Jim will be missed by family, friends, and former colleagues. I am most sorry to hear of is passing.
Jim and his wife Mary were the best Dallas had to offer. We are sorry he has gone on to a better world and he will be missed. We offer our condolences to the family. Peggy and Tom White
Job Titles:
- Late Community Funeral Home Staff Member