BOOKER

James Wallace Booker, 77, passed away in Columbus Mar. 13. He was born Sept. 26, 1944 in Eagle Lake to Edward Wallace Booker and Maggie Lucille Larmer.

James was a people person and jumped at any chance to visit or help those in need. He loved to dance, and he had a partner of a lifetime for 53 years with his wife Dyana. James enjoyed riding the rails of Southern Pacific and later entertaining the riders as a conductor/tour guide for Amtrak. After 40 years of service he hung up his conductor cap for the last time in 2014. He loved to drive and enjoyed helping friends and even strangers out by chauffeuring them to doctor’s appointments. Papa Choo Choo was very proud of his grandbabies and never missed any opportunity to cheer them on or spend time with them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed ward Wallace Booker and Maggie Lucille Booker, and step-brother James Buddy Booker.

He is survived by: wife, Dyana, son, Mike Booker and wife Kristi of Columbus, daughter Valerie Graves and husband Zach of Columbus; sister Jane Booker of Eagle Lake; step-sister Katherine Lawson of Indianapolis, IN; and grandchildren, Katelyn Booker (fiancé Mason Chapa), McKenna Booker, Cody Graves (fi ancé Natalie Dvorak), and Luke Graves.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Mar. 16 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus and at church on Thursday from 9 – 10 a.m. Funeral service will be Thursday, Mar. 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus with Pastor Alan Kethan officiating. A private family burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Eagle Lake.

Pallbearers are Cody Graves, Luke Graves, Scott Sheffield, Lynn Reising, Jarrod Brunner, Richard LaCourse and Bobby Cook.

Memorials may be made to Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 125, Columbus, TX 78934, St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 267, Columbus, TX 78934 or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be given at www. hennekefuneralhome. com.