Mr. James Chitwood

Funeral services for Mr. James Chitwood, 90, of Minden, will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Minden Baptist Church with Dr. Matt Pitts and Rev. Gary Newman officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM on Monday, January 29, at the funeral home. Mr. Chitwood passed from this life on January 24, 2024, in Victoria, Texas. He was born September 23, 1933, in Denison and has lived in Minden since 1968. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1953 and went on to serve his country in the United States Navy on a submarine. James had a long career as a machinist and worked for Hughes Tool in Houston, LeTourneau, General Electric and Trane. He also enjoyed working on the ranch and tending to his cows with his father-in-law, Herbert Ceal. James had a terrific sense of humor and loved to have fun. He also loved to be outdoors, enjoyed the companionship of his pets, and was a huge history buff. Mr. Chitwood was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Master Mason and was a member of Pine Hill Lodge #95 AF & AM. James loved and adored his grandchildren; family was of great importance to him. He previously served on the Maple Grove Cemetery Board and has been a long-time, active member of Minden Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Evelyn, sister Floy Lidiak, father and mother-in-law Herbert and Arnell Ceal, and his brother-in-law Jim “Jr” Miller. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Margie Chitwood of Minden; daughters, Janice Simpler and husband Edward Lynn of Temple, and Jamie Biles and husband Stephen of Victoria; grandchildren, Jacob Cook, James Cook, Benjamin Biles and wife Beck, Grant Biles, and Lauren Biles; sisters-in-law, Kathy Miller, and Clydie Flores and husband Eddie; brother-in-law, Ted Lidiak; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other family and many friends. Pallbearers will be Benjamin Biles, Grant Biles, Wes Flores, Wayne Flores, David Miller, Jim Miller, and Bill Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be Jacob Cook and James Cook. In Lieu of flowers Donations may be made to Minden Baptist Church at P.O. BOX 665, Mt. Enterprise, Texas 75681 or Hospice of South Texas at https://hospice-vic.org/donate/ Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. James Chitwood

September 23, 1933 - January 24, 2024