Cover photo for Eugene Earl Ness's Obituary
Eugene Earl Ness Profile Photo

Eugene Earl Ness

January 25, 1926 — October 2, 2017

Eugene Earl Ness

E.E. “Jim” Ness, 91, met his maker at home, surrounded by family on Monday October 02, 2017. Jim is survived by his wife, Helen, of 67 years; daughter, Jimsey Walton of Texas City, TX; daughter Kathy Walton and her husband Steve of Santa Fe, TX; 6 grandchildren, Michael Walton and wife Jennifer of Texas City, TX, Bryan Walton and wife Brittany of Texas City, TX, Chris Walton and wife Angela of Houston, TX, Bobby Walton and wife Megan of Conroe, TX, Rachel Botchlett and husband Jason of San Antonio, TX, and Zach Walton of Santa Fe, TX; 6 great-grandchildren, Corey, Jace, Marley, Maxx, Ava and Mila. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Ness of Hot Springs, AR, nephew Rick Ness of Omaha, NE, brother-in-law Roy Becker of Rockdale, TX; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Jim has been reunited with his parents, son-in-law Mike Walton; siblings Harriet Ferris, Howard Ness and Lee Ness; and many more family and friends who have received him in death.
Jim was born in Fairmont, MN, on January 25, 1926, to Clifford and Viola (Plumhoff) Ness. He was drafted at age 18 and spent approximately 9 years in the Air Force serving his country. During his last year of service, Jim was stationed at Tinker Field, Oklahoma City, OK, where he met Helen Norwood whom he married on May 05, 1950. They spent the last year of service in Alaska after which Jim was transferred to Bergstrom Air Force base, in Austin, TX for discharge. In 1953, Jim entered the University of Texas, under the GI Bill of Rights, and graduated in 1956 with a BBA in Accounting. Jim received his CPA license in 1958 and a Texas Real Estate Broker License in 1985. In 1958, Jim Joined with two other CPA’s in the purchase of a CPA firm in Galveston, TX. After 18 years as a senior partner, in 1975, Jim took early retirement from the firm to pursue other business challenges and opportunities. While living in Galveston, Jim served for several years as Treasurer for the First Presbyterian Church.
Jim was also active in many civic involvements. He was a member of the charter committee to establish the first Day Care Center in Galveston to receive the HEW Grant in 1960. He was also a charter member of the Fifty Club (organization to assist families of Galveston Policemen killed in line of duty), the chairman of the committee appointed by the City Council to study rate increase requested by Houston Lighting and Power Company in 1972, a director of the City of Galveston Chamber of Commerce from 1972-1974, a director of the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo Association from 1974-1981 (and Life Member); a director with Goodwill Industries from 1974-1975; a member of the Galveston County Research Council; a member of the Downtown Lion’s Club in Galveston from 1958-1978; a director of Goodwill Industries from 1974-1975; and President of the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo Association from 1979-1981.
In 1978, Jim was a senior partner in two partnerships that built 72 townhomes in the Western part of the City of Galveston. In 1975-1978, Ed Moore, Sales Manager of Sea Arama of Galveston, and Jim were awarded a Coors Beer distributorship for Galveston County. The firm of Moore and Ness Realty was formed to own the land and improvements of the distributorship. In 1978, the distributing rights were sold to a Houston Coors distributorship, and the real estate was leased. In 1974, Jim and his family moved to Santa Fe, TX, and built a home on acreage, raising horses, primarily for riding. In 1983, after their two daughters were married, Jim and Helen moved to Columbia Lakes, West Columbia, TX, a golf and tennis resort where they spent the next 17 years. During 1983-1988 and 2002, Jim was a part time instructor, conducting classes in Accounting, Business and Federal Income Taxes at Brazosport College, Lake Jackson, TX, Alvin Community College, Alvin, TX, and Temple Community College, Taylor, TX. In 1988-1990, President Bass of Brazosport College hired him to be the director of two offices of the Small Business Development Center at Brazosport College and Alvin Community College. The centers were engaged primarily in providing free one on one counseling services to the small business community. From 1990-1993 & 2000, Jim became the District Administrator of Varner Creek Utility District, which provided water and sewer services to the residents of Columbia Lakes. Jim was an avid golfer during his time at Columbia Lakes. He won the club championship one year and was unbeaten in the Super Senior Club Championship. During 2000, Jim and Helen moved to Rockdale, TX, and then to Bryan, TX, to access the healthcare provided by Scott and White.
Appreciation is expressed to the staff of Traditions Healthcare for their outstanding care.
Jim’s passion for life was inspirational. He said “variety is the spice of life. My advice to family and friends: have music in your life, follow your heart and put trust in your Lord”. It was Jim’s wish to be cremated with family services at a later date.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made for Leukemia Research.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eugene Earl Ness, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 34

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree