James Tountas

James C. Tountas
7/25/1920 - 11/27/14


James C. Tountas, 94, of Waco, passed away at home on Thursday, November 27, 2014. Visitation will be at OakCrest Funeral Home on Monday, December 1 from 5:00-7:00PM. Services are set for Tuesday, December 2 at 10:00 AM at OakCrest with Johnny Stephens and Joe Keyes officiating. Private interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

James was born July 25, 1920 in Enid, OK to Pete and Augusta Kaupke Tountas. As the last of three children, he was nicknamed Babe which friends and family still called him. The family moved to Waco when James was nine months old and it has been his home ever since. He met his wife of 72 years, Edith Matthews, when she rented a room from a neighbor after she moved to Waco. They married Dec 27, 1941. He was an active member of Columbus Avenue Church of Christ until he became ill. He served as an elder there for over 50 years and taught Bible classes for many years.

James was employed by the Waco News Tribune–Times Herald for over 48 years. He started as one of the first carrier boys in 1934 and by 1938 began collecting for the classified ad department. When America joined the fight in World War II, James enlisted in the Air Force, serving in the European Theater and rising to the rank of Master Sergeant. When he returned after the war, he rejoined the newspapers in the advertising department and eventually became the display advertising manager. He became Director of Advertising in 1981 and was Director of Research and Development when he retired in 1985.

Though most knew James because of his involvement with church and his work at the newspapers, he was involved in many other business areas in the city. He was a member of the Waco Ad Club serving as president of the organization and winning their Ad Man of the Year Award for 1962-1963. He was instrumental in establishing the Better Business Bureau in Waco and served as president of that organization also. He was a strong supporter of the credit union movement and helped charter and establish a number of credit unions in Waco. He was a past president of the Tribune Herald Credit union. He worked with the United Way of Waco and served as the public relations committee head in 1967. He was a member of the Northwest Rotary Club maintaining perfect attendance for over 30 years and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

James was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elouise Horton and brother Ken Tountas.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Edith Tountas; sons Jim Tountas of Waco and Bob Tountas & wife Janie of College Station; granddaughter Brice Waldron and husband Tommy of Sugar Land; grandson Rob Tountas of College Station; great-grandchildren, Tate and Sloane Waldron; sisters-in-law Alma Tountas and Sally Richardson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made to Columbus Ave. Church of Christ or the charity of your choice.