James Edward Layman

FUNERAL SERVICES: 1:30 P.M. Friday, May 12, 2017, at South Leon Baptist Church, Newburg.

BURIAL: Newburg Cemetery.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers please send memorials to your local animal shelter or S.P.C.A.

James Edward Layman, age 76, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, in Odessa, Texas.

He was born on January 12, 1941, in Comanche, Texas, to James Arthur and Bernice Christine (Hughes) Layman. He was a good daddy and was involved in his children’s lives and activities as they grew up. He left them with an example of a good work ethic and the love of family.

Eddy graduated from Midland High and attended Baylor University. He worked hard all his life and was always thinking about his next project and how to improve and expand everything he tackled. Eddy’s mind was a never ending cornucopia of knowledge and worked as efficiently as a well greased machine. He worked for El Paso Natural Gas – Rexene – Huntsman for many years until his retirement.

Throughout his life he loved to travel. He always looked forward to his yearly fishing trip with his fishing buddies in the cave. There are as many untold stories as told and those he chose to tell were whoppers, just like the fish they caught, or said they caught. He was a certified diver, he snorkeled, he snow skied, he was a pilot with his own plane, he started two restaurants and a bar, he raised rabbits and quail for market, he had a talent for and loved wood working. He owned a trailer park and a metal building company, Affordable Buildings. All this and so much more. You could see the sparkle in his eyes as he was always looking forward to his next great endeavor and you can bet there was one on the horizon at all times. Eddy went through life at the speed of a hummingbird and with the heart and soul of a champion. He was a proud man, an independent individual who stood firm in his beliefs. He always gave more than he received. Where he once filled a huge part of all our lives there will now be an even larger void. Memories and moments in time will now have to fill this space for all of us. If you never crossed paths with Eddy, you missed out. For those of us who did, we were blessed.

We find peace in knowing your belief in Jesus Christ has taken you home Eddy. May all be well with your soul as you sleep with the angels.

He is survived by his sons, Sean Layman and wife LeeAnn of Monahans, and Aaron Layman and wife Jackie of Katy; grandchildren, Ryan Layman and wife Bailey of Saginaw, Morgan Layman and wife Victoria of Monahans, Carrie Layman of Monahans, Aidan Layman of Katy, and Yubin Layman of Katy; great-grandchildren: Sawyer Grace Layman and Jack Ryan Layman; sisters, Judy Barker of Odessa and Alura Wright of San Angelo; brothers, David Layman and wife, Rhonda of Christoval, Tim Layman of Ballinger; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bernice Layman.