James Larryan Driggers

May 21,1948- September 8, 2026

James Larryan Driggers passed away on September 8, 2026, at the age of 78, surrounded by his children and grandchild.

A memorial service honoring James’s life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at 23459 Aiken Woods Drive, New Caney, Texas, 77357

Some men are remembered for the stories they told. James will be remembered for the life he built, for his service, his sharp mind, his steady hands, and the quiet, dependable way he cared for his family.

James was born on May 21,1948, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Jerry and Lorraine Driggers. He grew up with his brothers, Jerry and Joey, on a small farm in Alvin, Texas. His intelligence showed itself early. While still in middle school, he spent half of the day attending high school classes. Learning came naturally to James, but he never took it for granted. His curiosity remained with him throughout his life.

In May, 1967, James left home and joined the United States Marine Corps. The Marines took a young Private from Texas, trained him as an Engineer Equipment Operator at Camp Lejeune, and sent him across the world to serve in the Vietnam War. Four years later, James returned home as a Sergeant. He had earned the rank as he would earn everything throughout his life: with discipline, hard work, and a determination that did not require an audience.

The medals James brought home: the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Combat Action Ribbon tell part of the story. They speak of duty, courage, and honorable service during difficult times. But medals cannot fully tell what a man carried, what he endured, or the strength it took to return home and continue building a life. After returning from Vietnam, James continued serving the Marine Corps, putting his sharp mind and careful attention to detail to work in administration. His final duty assignment brought him to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, where he met the woman who would become the love of his life.

After completing his military service, James married Susan and returned home to work alongside his father aboard the family shrimp boat, The Mrs. Lorraine. In 1977, he began a 27- year career as a chemical plant operator with ICI, retiring in 2004.

James understood how things worked. As a teenager, he would come home from school and build cars from the frame up. That was simply who he was. He could look at something broken, study it, and find his way toward a solution. He was a gifted mechanic, a natural engineer, and the person his family called when something needed to be repaired, understood, or figured out. He did not just fix machines. He helped solve his family’s problems, too. When one of his children needed him, James made time. He listened, thought carefully, and kept working at the problem until he found a way forward. Helping his family was not something he announced or expected recognition for. It was simply how he loved them.

James was seldom without a book in his hand. Reading was not merely a hobby for him, it was part of the rhythm of his life. Some of his children's fondest memories are of family camping trips when he read works from J.L Tolkien and The Brothers Grimm aloud to them. These stories, heard in their father’s voice, became part of their own family story.

He enjoyed anything that challenged his mind. He taught his children to play chess and spent many hours playing Civilization. Whenever one of his children called and asked what he was doing, the answer was often, “waiting for your mother.” The family knew what that meant: Susan was shopping or chatting, and James was settled in with his game, patiently waiting.

James was a man of few words. He never needed to fill a room with conversation or call attention to himself. But when he did speak, everyone stopped to listen. His family knew he had considered his words carefully and that what he said would be honest and worth hearing. His intelligence was unmistakable, but so was the quiet way he carried it.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Lorraine Driggers, his brothers, Jerry and Joey Driggers, his wife Frances “Susan” Driggers; his son-in-law, Christopher Bruce, his granddaughter Brittany Brown, and his daughter-in-law, Jenny Price.

James is survived by his children: Angela Brown and her husband Cliff, James “Doc” Driggers and his wife, Ella; Melissa Bruce; Daron Davenport and her husband Robert; Justin Driggers; Jason “Sam” Driggers and his wife Brandy, and Joseph “Joey” Driggers. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kimberly Brown, James Brown and his wife Claudia; William “Tyler” Brown and his wife Brooke; Madilyn Brown, Mickey Brown, Kai Driggers; Corbin and Eliana Bruce; Celeste, Jaden, Reagan, and Jacob Davenport; James Jesse, Jaliyah, and Jane Driggers; and Carley, Kadence, Jaxon, and Kallista Driggers. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Iris, Athena, Charlotte, Declan, and Presley Brown.

James leaves his family with more than memories. He leaves them with the lessons found in the way he lived; stay curious, think before speaking, keep working until the problem is solved, and make time when someone you love needs you. He showed his love in practical ways- in books read aloud, games taught, cars rebuilt, problems solved, and countless objects and hearts repaired.

He was quiet, but his life spoke clearly.