Funeral services for James Altom, 87, of Emory, will be held on Saturday, November 20, at 2:00 p.m., at Wilson Orwosky Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery. Ben Altom, Jacob Altom, Michael Altom, Clay Altom, Tommy Altom, Gerald Altom, Kent Clark, Kevin Clark and Lance Hooten will serve as pallbearers. John Ledbetter will serve as honorary pallbearer.
Mr. Altom died on November 13, 2021, at The Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. He was born on February 27, 1934, in Dallas County, to Marion Hampton Altom and Ola Gertrude Swindle Altom. After graduating high school in Irving, he served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the submarine U.S.S. Diablo. After completing his service, he returned to Irving and began work at the U.S. Post Office. In Irving, he met and married Dolores Meyer, and together, they raised three sons. After leaving Irving, he began a successful career as a salesman traveling across the country and eventually around the globe. He was most proud of his last 20 years as director of military sales for Portacool, LLC, where he sold evaporative cooling units to help serve the needs of the U.S. military around the world. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, but his favorite pastime was being Papa and Uncle James.
Mr. Altom is survived by his wife of 66 years; sons, Mike Altom, and Tim Altom and wife Barbara of Irving; daughter-in-law, Cathy Altom of McKinney; grandchildren, Ben and Mary Altom, Jacob and Sara Altom, Michael and Joy Altom, Clay Altom, Jeana Altom and Audrey Altom; great-grandchildren, Jaxon Altom, Lily Altom, Owen Altom and Connor Longley; brother-in-law, Harlan Wilhelm; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Patrick Altom; grandson, Layne Pugh; three brothers; and six sisters.
A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Wilson Orwosky Funeral Home.
An online guestbook is available at www.wilsonorwoskyfuneralhome.com