James Hubert Bounds Jr.
April 22, 1950 — February 2, 2022
James Hubert Bounds, Jr., known to all as Jim, was born on April 22, 1950, in Lubbock, Texas to Mary Lee and James Hubert Bounds, Sr. and died peacefully in his sleep on February 2, 2022.
Jim spent his childhood in Texas and New Jersey and ultimately settled in Florida, although Texas would always remain a part of his heart and spirit. In her autobiography, Jim’s beloved mother wrote, “Jim’s high school English teacher [in New Jersey] decided to help him with his Texas accent, but he finally told her that he was born that way and could not change his speech. After a while, she gave up.” The joyful, content spirit of that young man lived on in Jim as an adult.
Jim graduated from Dunellen High School in 1968 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from McMurry University in 1972. During high school, Jim was actively involved in many sports and captain of the football team. In addition to being a leader to his teammates, he was known for his sense of optimism and humor. Whether it was convincing his parents to give him a mere $60 to buy a car that stopped running 2 days after he purchased it or staking out a driveway with invisible fishing wire with his lifelong friend, Lex Blazik, to trip his sister’s date (and future husband) as he walked up the driveway to take her out, Jim was an optimist who created joy in every situation.
Jim’s post-college years were spent living with his beloved only sister, Glenda (Bounds) Abbate and her husband Florio. Florio’s brother John also moved in with them and the stories that arose from those years are family legends. Whether it was Jim being pecked in the head by a duck at a traffic light or driving the car he had already sold through barricades and into a canal, only to swim to safety while holding the steaks he had just purchased at the butcher to celebrate the sale of his now sinking car or accidentally igniting a menu at a fancy restaurant only to throw the flaming menu into the nearby lobster tank and calmly see himself to the door, Jim had a zest for life that could not be rivaled.
In 1978 he met Sharon Sparks. They would begin a lengthy correspondence as she lived in New Mexico and he lived in Ohio. The pen pals would marry in 1980 and 41 happy years of marriage would follow. Jim and Sharon initially lived in Ohio and Jim worked at Firestone. In 1982, Jim and Sharon welcomed twins, Christopher Glen Bounds and Lee Anne Bounds. His family was the core of Jim’s existence and would provide him with immeasurable joy. In 1985, Jim and Sharon moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, where Jim owned a successful office equipment company, American Business Products. During these years – in addition to honing his impeccable golf game - Jim enjoyed smoking brisket and ribs on his smoker, fishing with his children in their backyard, playing “torpedo” in the pool, and taking the family on the “Cherry Lime Express” while visiting his parents in Texas. He took pride in watching his children find their passions in life and grow into happy adults. Lee Anne would say that he was her first phone call for advice on any question great or small. He and Christopher would never miss their standing Wednesday skeet shooting date. He would impart wisdom without judgment and was unfailingly loyal. He was a devoted husband and loved spending time with Sharon, entertaining friends, playing games, and traveling.
Jim made his family his unquestioned priority. He was also the consummate prankster, even attempting to sell a friend’s car while they were out of town. If you encounter a dear friend of Jim’s, they will likely comment on his fantastic sense of humor and also offer an anecdote about funny prank he played on them. Jim brought laughter and joy to everyone who crossed his path.
Jim was a gifted athlete in all sports he undertook, but golf would prove his great love. He discovered golf when his family moved to Seminole, Texas, in 1952 and his passion for the game would bring him immeasurable joy throughout his life. Golf provided Jim with more than the many trophies and holes-in-one he collected over the years. He recently wrote to his great-nephew (and fellow golfer) that “Golf offers a lifelong journey in pursuit of improvement. More than anything else, I hope you will remember that your family supports you and encourages you to follow and fully commit to your passion, in sport and in life.” That sentence was the essence of Jim and his core values. Pursue a lifetime of improvement, support your family, and commit fully to your passions.
He retired in 2008 and embarked on his next chapter. Shortly after Jim’s father retired, Jim asked him what it was like not to go to work every day to which Hubert replied, "Every day's a holiday." Jim lived these words in his retirement and never stopped learning. Whether he was becoming an avid chess player, building golf clubs for friends and family, or perfecting his enchilada and salsa recipes, Jim used his retirement to never stop growing. On the day of his retirement, Jim wrote to his colleagues, “I'm 58 years old, in great health, have a wonderful and loving family and have now completed two careers and will be embarking on a third. You see...some dreams really do come true. I hope each of you will achieve yours.”
Jim was the type of man who paid the toll of the person in front of him on the highway and quietly helped those in need without wanting or needing recognition. He was generous in heart and spirit. Jim sincerely wanted the best for everyone in his life.
He loved with his whole heart and never hesitated to tell people how much he loved them. Not a birthday or milestone would go by without Jim sending a heartfelt, sincere, beautifully worded message. He will be missed beyond measure. His kind smile. His laugh. His way of making the complicated uncomplicated. His loyalty. Of golf Jim once wrote, “You don't have to win every event. just be really good in all of them...” This is how Jim approached life. You just have to be really good. And he was really, really good.
We ask that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation in Jim’s memory to First Tee ( www.firsttee.org ) to empower children to pursue their golf dreams.
Jim spent his childhood in Texas and New Jersey and ultimately settled in Florida, although Texas would always remain a part of his heart and spirit. In her autobiography, Jim’s beloved mother wrote, “Jim’s high school English teacher [in New Jersey] decided to help him with his Texas accent, but he finally told her that he was born that way and could not change his speech. After a while, she gave up.” The joyful, content spirit of that young man lived on in Jim as an adult.
Jim graduated from Dunellen High School in 1968 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from McMurry University in 1972. During high school, Jim was actively involved in many sports and captain of the football team. In addition to being a leader to his teammates, he was known for his sense of optimism and humor. Whether it was convincing his parents to give him a mere $60 to buy a car that stopped running 2 days after he purchased it or staking out a driveway with invisible fishing wire with his lifelong friend, Lex Blazik, to trip his sister’s date (and future husband) as he walked up the driveway to take her out, Jim was an optimist who created joy in every situation.
Jim’s post-college years were spent living with his beloved only sister, Glenda (Bounds) Abbate and her husband Florio. Florio’s brother John also moved in with them and the stories that arose from those years are family legends. Whether it was Jim being pecked in the head by a duck at a traffic light or driving the car he had already sold through barricades and into a canal, only to swim to safety while holding the steaks he had just purchased at the butcher to celebrate the sale of his now sinking car or accidentally igniting a menu at a fancy restaurant only to throw the flaming menu into the nearby lobster tank and calmly see himself to the door, Jim had a zest for life that could not be rivaled.
In 1978 he met Sharon Sparks. They would begin a lengthy correspondence as she lived in New Mexico and he lived in Ohio. The pen pals would marry in 1980 and 41 happy years of marriage would follow. Jim and Sharon initially lived in Ohio and Jim worked at Firestone. In 1982, Jim and Sharon welcomed twins, Christopher Glen Bounds and Lee Anne Bounds. His family was the core of Jim’s existence and would provide him with immeasurable joy. In 1985, Jim and Sharon moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, where Jim owned a successful office equipment company, American Business Products. During these years – in addition to honing his impeccable golf game - Jim enjoyed smoking brisket and ribs on his smoker, fishing with his children in their backyard, playing “torpedo” in the pool, and taking the family on the “Cherry Lime Express” while visiting his parents in Texas. He took pride in watching his children find their passions in life and grow into happy adults. Lee Anne would say that he was her first phone call for advice on any question great or small. He and Christopher would never miss their standing Wednesday skeet shooting date. He would impart wisdom without judgment and was unfailingly loyal. He was a devoted husband and loved spending time with Sharon, entertaining friends, playing games, and traveling.
Jim made his family his unquestioned priority. He was also the consummate prankster, even attempting to sell a friend’s car while they were out of town. If you encounter a dear friend of Jim’s, they will likely comment on his fantastic sense of humor and also offer an anecdote about funny prank he played on them. Jim brought laughter and joy to everyone who crossed his path.
Jim was a gifted athlete in all sports he undertook, but golf would prove his great love. He discovered golf when his family moved to Seminole, Texas, in 1952 and his passion for the game would bring him immeasurable joy throughout his life. Golf provided Jim with more than the many trophies and holes-in-one he collected over the years. He recently wrote to his great-nephew (and fellow golfer) that “Golf offers a lifelong journey in pursuit of improvement. More than anything else, I hope you will remember that your family supports you and encourages you to follow and fully commit to your passion, in sport and in life.” That sentence was the essence of Jim and his core values. Pursue a lifetime of improvement, support your family, and commit fully to your passions.
He retired in 2008 and embarked on his next chapter. Shortly after Jim’s father retired, Jim asked him what it was like not to go to work every day to which Hubert replied, "Every day's a holiday." Jim lived these words in his retirement and never stopped learning. Whether he was becoming an avid chess player, building golf clubs for friends and family, or perfecting his enchilada and salsa recipes, Jim used his retirement to never stop growing. On the day of his retirement, Jim wrote to his colleagues, “I'm 58 years old, in great health, have a wonderful and loving family and have now completed two careers and will be embarking on a third. You see...some dreams really do come true. I hope each of you will achieve yours.”
Jim was the type of man who paid the toll of the person in front of him on the highway and quietly helped those in need without wanting or needing recognition. He was generous in heart and spirit. Jim sincerely wanted the best for everyone in his life.
He loved with his whole heart and never hesitated to tell people how much he loved them. Not a birthday or milestone would go by without Jim sending a heartfelt, sincere, beautifully worded message. He will be missed beyond measure. His kind smile. His laugh. His way of making the complicated uncomplicated. His loyalty. Of golf Jim once wrote, “You don't have to win every event. just be really good in all of them...” This is how Jim approached life. You just have to be really good. And he was really, really good.
We ask that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation in Jim’s memory to First Tee ( www.firsttee.org ) to empower children to pursue their golf dreams.
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