James Ray Emmite, 81, resident of Bayou Vista, Texas and passed from this life unexpectedly on September 6, 2025. He was born September 2, 1944 to father, Joseph Lewis Emmite, Jr and loving mother Dorothy Mae Settlemire Emmite in Dickinson, Texas. James was one of six siblings, and proud to come from a large family. He enjoyed building engines and racing cars with the men of the family and often causing mischief with his many sisters. James grew up in Dickinson, Texas and graduated from True Cross Catholic School.

James was preceded in death by his former wives, Janice Melendy Emmite and Nita Sprouse Emmite. His parents Joseph Lewis Emmite and Dorothy Settlemire Emmite and his only brother, Joseph “Joey” Emmite.

He leaves behind to cherish his lifetime of memories and achievements: son, James Ray Emmite II and wife Lisa; daughters, Lynette Emmite Calderone and husband Jeffery, Shannon Emmite Long and husband Shane; the mother of his children, Linda Griffin; sisters, Dolly Churchill, Dorothy Day and her husband Weldon, Vera Giamalvia, and Daisy Synatzske and husband Randy; grandchildren,  Charity Emmite Ammons and husband Daniel, Corey Edward Ball and wife Rebeca, Bethany Emmite Ellis and husband Kody, Candace Long Tucker and husband Denzel, Emily Long, Koby Calderone, Hannah Emmite Henson and husband Jeremy, Marissa Long Sheets and husband Rockwell, and Kaden Calderone; great grandchildren, Avery Ellis, Sophie Ball, Connor James Ellis, Sagan Sheets, Maxwell Sheets, and Faraday Sheets; stepchildren from preceded wife Janice Melendy Emmite, Simon and Danette Pickering; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

His career was in the construction industry, he was a heavy equipment operator; it wasn’t uncommon for him to operate a crane with a 300′ boom. He often laughed (and bragged) about how at 5′ 5″ tall he strapped wood blocks to the bottom of his shoes to reach the foot-controls, as he boasted he was “one of the best!”. He was very well respected in the industry and was often the first to be called upon for critical jobs. His true passion was as a fisherman for which he built a commercial shrimp boat, which showed his naturally God-given true engineering talent, as he provided for his family during the construction rainy seasons. He named it “Maranatha” from 1 Corinthians 16:22. An Aramaic expression with two primary interpretations: “Our Lord, come!” and used by early Christians as a common greeting, a declaration of faith, and a prayer expressing hope for Jesus’ return and commitment to loving Him. Also, in providing for his family he raised livestock, and had a garden for vegetables. In all things, work or play, he relished having his children by his side, whether handing him tools while he was working on engines, culling shrimp and shucking oysters, weeding the garden and gathering eggs, offshore fishing or just simply fishing perch from the pond.

He enjoyed Bible study with friends and did his best not to miss church on Sundays where he looked forward to fellowship and lunch with one of his dearest and oldest friends, George Sims, where he adopted the phrase “Be Blessed”. Even when he was in the hospital not feeling well, he used this phrase and thanked hospital staff as they left his room.

He was always a bright light in gatherings with friends and family, sometimes a practical joker with a great sense of humor, and be sure he would tell you how homemade is always better than store bought.

He didn’t like saying goodbye and he always left you with a smile.

James was a beloved son, brother, husband, but most of all he was a devoted father, a loving grandfather and great grandfather and a proud Christian.

In his honor a visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 9:00 – 10:00am with a Funeral service at 10:00am in the Crowder Funeral Home Chapel, Dickinson, Texas with interment following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Dickinson, Texas.