James Edwin "Ozzie" Oswalt, of Lake Limestone, TX, passed away Monday, May 4, 2009, at the Limestone Medical Center, at age 75.

James was born on September 23, 1933, to Burl Clarence Oswalt and Ina Lou (Baily) Oswalt at Eupora, Mississippi. He lived there until the family moved to Alto, Texas when he was nine years old.

As a child James enjoyed the loving attention of his grandmother, when his family lived in a joint home with his grandparents, Thomas Woodson and Madora Emeline Oswalt. He idolized his grandmother and she called him her "partner." Madora Emeline was a midwife and because of this, their home had the distinction of being the first family in the area to have a telephone so she could be easily reached when needed. The telephone was also the cause of an unfortunate accident, when Mr. Thomas Oswalt's wagon ran into the line leaving him paralyzed.

James graduated from school at West Columbia and entered the U.S. Navy at age 18. He served in the Navy from 1951 through 1955, during the Korean War, primarily on the USS Valley Forge. He also served four more years in the reserves.

On November 19, 1954, James was united in marriage with Gloria Sims, at Old Ocean, Texas. They lived at West Columbia, where he made a career in construction in the chemical industry. He retired on March 31, 1991 from Dow Chemical Co. at Freeport, Texas.

In 1992, James and Gloria moved to the Big Creek West section of Lake Limestone. James was interested in woodwork, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and his family. He was always active in his son's Little League and Boy Scout Troops. James was a Baptist, and taught young boy's Sunday School Class and the Adult Men's Class for many years.

Mr. Oswalt was preceded in death by his son, James Wayne Oswalt, who passed away October 5, 1986. Also preceding in death were his father, Burl Oswalt and mother, Ina (Baily Oswalt) Kosub; his grandparents, Thomas Woodson Oswalt and Madora Emeline Oswalt; grandparents, Thomas and Maude (Big Pa Pa and Big Mama) Baily; his mother-in-law and father-in-law (who treated him like their own son), J. B. Barney Sims and Addie Bea Sims; his brother-in-law, Troy Barnett, and brother-in-law, J. W. Sims.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Gloria Oswalt of Groesbeck; four sisters, Billie Barnett of Lake Jackson; JoAnn Rachunek and husband Richard of Angleton; Anita Stunz and husband Chuck of Richwood; and Linda Carol Rupe and husband Mike of Rosharon; sister-in-law, Welda (Sims) Thurman and husband Robert of Lake Limestone; brother-in-law, Dale Sims and wife Yvonne of West Columbia; and his aunt, Barbara "Aunt Cakie" Hitt of Groesbeck.

Also, James leaves behind nieces, Vickie and Ronnie Sassin and family of West Columbia, Tammie and John Murray and family of Columbia Lakes, Regina Rauchnek Watson and family of Houston, and Christy Lonis of Seattle, Washington; and nephews, James W. and Sherry Sims of Houston, Dennis R. and Janice Sims of Friendswood, Gary R. and Diane Sims of West Columbia, Richard Rachunek and family of Houston, Michael Rachunek and family of Angleton, Tommy Stunz and family of Lake Jackson, Toby Stunz and family of League City, and Josh Postisil of Houston. Also, James leaves behind many loving grand nieces and nephews, including Jeff Sims and family of Cypress, Jennifer Scherbenske and family of Cypress, Heather Ramsey and family of Friendswood, and Trisha Douglas and Blaine of Pearland.