James L. (Reece) McBroom
Greenville Herald Banner
Sunday, Dec 10, 2006
James L. (Reece) McBroom, 76, of Greenville died at 11:25 a.m. on Dec. 7 at Baylor Medical Center of Dallas. Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Monday at Van Sickle Baptist Church with Rev. Roger Ratliff and Rev. Kip Salser officiating. A military graveside service is at 1 p.m. Monday at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
Born on Jan. 27, 1930, in Wolfe City, he was the son of V. S. and Dorothy Marsolete Cosby McBroom. He married Minnie West on Sept. 27, 1952, in Dallas, Texas. He served in the U. S. Navy. He was a mechanical engineer retired from LTV and E-Systems. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Van Sickle Baptist Church.
Because he loved his country, upon graduation from high school, James chose to serve his country in the U. S. Navy. He served prior to and during the Koreran War where he, among other duties, flew recognizance missions over the Pacific Ocean.
After completing his tour of duty, he held various jobs that culminated into a career as an aerospace engineer. During his lengthy career as an engineer, he assisted in the design and construction of radio satellite antenna around the world from the Polar Regions, to Africa, to Central America. He was integral in the design and construction of the VLA (Very Large Array) radio satellite antenna near Roswell, NM, used for deep space study; and was a design engineer on the Stealth Bomber in Palmdale, CA.
As extensive and impressive as his professional accomplishments were, nothing brought him more joy than spending time with Minnie, the love of his life for 54 years, whom he always referred to as his “bride.”
James was devoted not only to his wife, but also to his children and granchildren. He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan! Anyone who cared to listen could hear proud stories about his grandchildren. Those whose lives he touched knew him as a man who was honoarable, loyal and a dedicated family man.
He is survived by his wife Minnie McBroom of Greenville; son and daughter-in-law Donnie and Charly McBroom of Campbell; daughter and son-in-law Terri and Jimmie Rios of Fort Worth; daughter-in-law Melissa Orona and husband John of Arlington; brother and sister-in-law David an Donna McBroom of Leonard; sister and brother-in-law Patsy and Jimmy James of Leonard; grandsons Brian McBroom of Arlington and Steven Rios of Fort Worth; granddaughter Emily Rios of Fort Worth; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
Submitted by Elaine Nall Bay
