James Blanton Magers

James Blanton Magers

J. B. was born February 5, 1926 in Alvord, TX to parents Oda Roy Magers and Azzie Lee Orr Magers. He grew up in Alvord but moved to Electra in September 1942. He graduated early from Electra High School in January 1943. After graduation, he worked for a year until his 18th birthday then enlisted in the Navy. After his Navy service, he married Rama Beth Stanford June 14, 1947 in Electra then moved to Lindsay, OK where he was working for Phillips Petroleum on a drilling rig. Rama and J. B. moved ten times while he worked on the drilling rigs. They finally landed in southeastern New Mexico in 1956, first at an oilfield camp at Buckeye, then to Lovington in 1961. J. B. continued to work for Phillips Petroleum in Buckeye until he retired in 1986. They moved back to Electra in 1990 to care Rama’s Mom after the death of her father.

J. B. and Rama were members of Buckeye Baptist Church, First Baptist Church in Lovington, NM and First Baptist Church in Electra, TX. They enjoyed camping in the mountains of Colorado and northern New Mexico. After retirement, they made numerous bus trips with friends and trips with their camping trailer, including a 61 day trek to Canada with Velma and Hilton Ballard. J. B. never met a stranger and loved getting to know folks.

J. B. is survived by sons Dennis Michael (Jody) and James Patrick (Lynne), and daughter Jeannie Sue Wesley. He is also survived by grandchildren Allyson Magers (Jeremy), Molly Price (Ryan), Darren Jones, Shannon Thulin (Chris), Annie Hunt (Jeremy), and Lindsey Magers, and has great grandchildren Matthew and Hallie Price, Riley and Elliott Thulin, Hattie and Georgia Hunt, and Josiah Magers.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 75 years, Rama Beth, a brother Oda Roy Magers Jr. a sister, Patsy Ann Magers Jones, grandchildren Cody Dean Jones and Aaron Don Jones, son in law Dennis Wesley and many other longtime friends and extended family.