James Owen Bronstad, 95, long time resident of Corsicana, recently residing in Granbury, Texas, passed from this world on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 in the Glen Rose Medical Center-Hospital.
James was born in Clifton, Texas on March 20, 1925 to Alma and O.M. Bronstad, the youngest of seven children where he attended public school graduating from Clifton High School. He attended Clifton Junior College until World War II interrupted. James served his country in the US Navy for three years on the USS Porterfield in the Pacific. Upon returning from his service in the Navy, James went to North Texas State University to earn his bachelors and masters degrees.
Whenever anyone asks James what he did for a living before he retired, he always said he was a teacher. He taught many students at Emhouse High School and still remembered those students with lots of fun experiences up to his death. Following Emhouse he went to work at the Corsicana State Home serving as the director of education where he impacted many more children. He recalled field trips, camps, coaching Gra-Y football, and lots of rewarding experiences during that time. He always felt like God had led him and placed him where he could carry out His will providing a positive impact on children’s lives. James was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Corsicana for 70 years.
James provided a home for Eddie Donahue and later Chris Perales offering much guidance as a father would. He is Big Pop to Jed Donahue, Jed’s daughter Avery Donahue, Tyler Donahue, Allyssa Perales Castillo, her husband Eddie Castillo, their sons Lennox Castillo and Hendrix Castillo, and to Katelyn Perales. Actually, he is Big Pop to many people he meets—his barber, kids in his neighborhood, the nurses and caregivers during the last month of his life in and out of the hospital and rehab.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Alma and O.M. Bronstad, and siblings Adline Vicory, Oliver Bronstad, Justin Bronstad, Hugh Bronstad, Arthur Bronstad, and Dorothy Dammegard. He is survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be held in Corsicana, Texas at the First Baptist Church Chapel at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2020.
Online guest book available www.griffin-roughton.com
Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, Corsicana.