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Remembering
James McMorries, Jr.
City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department — Texas
J ames McMorries died April 9, 2006, in
Amarillo, Texas, from injuries he suffered
when his fire truck rolled down a
ravine while fighting the March 12th
fires in Donley County. The fire
burned over a million acres and
strained the resources of small
volunteer fire departments.
On March 12, 2006, our
children and grandchildren
were visiting. James
never went anywhere
when they were here, but
when he received the call,
he grabbed his hat and
said, “There’s a fire. They
need me,” and ran out the
door. It was the last time
we saw him so full of life.
When it came time to help,
James W. McMorries, Jr. could
never say no. James lived his life
helping others. When we lived in
Amarillo, he would mow all of the little
widow women’s yards, expecting nothing
in return, just a smile on their faces. He also
bought prescriptions for older people who could not
afford them.
James was a Certified Real Estate Appraiser for 36
years and had his own business. He was a member
of the National Association of Fee Appraisers,
Amarillo Association of Realtors, Khiva Shriners, the
Clarendon Country Club, the Howardwick Volunteer
Fire Department, and a former member of the Civil
Air Patrol in Search and Rescue. He was a Master
Classification: Volunteer
Rank: Firefighter
Date of Death: April 9, 2006
Age: 62
Mason, a pilot, farmer, rancher, and a devout
Christian man, reading his Bible every
day. James was credited with helping
to reinvigorate the fire department,
which was down to just a handful
of members and incapable
of defending its own community.
A lot of younger
guys didn’t know how to
drive the older trucks, and
James did. James donated
tires for the fire trucks and
radios and did mechanical
work on the trucks.
James had decided to run
for Mayor of Howardwick.
His name was already on
the ballot, and after his
death he still won by a landslide,
so an interim mayor
was appointed to take his place.
He was liked by everyone who
knew him. James had an infectious
laugh and never met a stranger. James
was my soul mate, my everything. We
did everything together, so many projects and
goals. My life was whole and complete with him by
my side. I feel God and James watching over me, helping
me make the right decisions.
James is now with his Lord, with a new body that is
no longer broken. Many wonderful things have come
about since James’s death. I joined the fire department,
we have a new truck, and my goal in life is to continue
helping others. I want James W. McMorries, Jr. to be as
proud of his wife as I was of him.