James E. Talley

James E. Talley, 81, of Fredericksburg, died on his birthday, Monday, July 14, 2014.

A memorial service was held Saturday, July 19, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Fredericksburg Funeral Home with the Rev. William Karlson officiating.

Talley was born July 14, 1933, in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Tip Talley. He married Charlotte Lee Jester who preceded him in death in January 2009.

Talley’s family moved to Texas in his youth, settling in the Corpus Christi area. He joined the United States Army in the early 1950’s and was promoted to corporal while stationed in Germany.

After marriage, the Talleys lived in Ingleside and he was employed at the Reynolds Metals Co. aluminum plant.

Eventually, he became self-employed with JET Contracting, an industrial mowing business with contracts to maintain the local DuPont Chemical plant and Exxon tank farms and pipelines.

In 1978, Talley opened a new business, Ingleside Offshore Services which was a dock and service facility for the supply boats servicing the oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. It was during this time that he became a pilot, becoming certified in both rotorcraft and fixed winged aircraft.

After his wife died in 2009, Talley moved to Fredericksburg.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Charles Steven and Ginette Talley, and two grandsons, all of Fredericksburg.

In addition to his wife and parents, Talley was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl Lee Talley who died in infancy, and three siblings, including William Talley Jr., Wayne Talley and Billie Jo Talley.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors or to the charity of choice.