James Mears

DeKALB, Texas—James Mack Mears, 83, of Simms, Texas, died Sunday, March 25, 2018, in a Texarkana, Texas, hospital. Mr. Mears was born Jan. 31, 1935, in Alleene, Ark. He was a retired rolling mill supervisor at Lone Star Steel, a rancher, Baptist and 32nd-degree Mason with Dalby Springs Masonic Lodge No. 684. He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Valeta Tidwell Mears. Survivors include his wife, Henrietta Walker Mears of Simms; one daughter, Pam Watts of Simms; four sons, David Mears, Doug Mears and Mark Mears of Simms and Michael "Boog" Mears of DeKalb, Texas; two stepsons, Kelly Williams and Kevin Williams of Simms; one sister, Reba Ozymy of Redwater, Texas; one brother, Homer Mears of Naples, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a number of other relatives. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Wards Creek Cemetery with the Rev. John Ratliff officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bates Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Online registration is at batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.