James Ben Leigh, 67, of Paris, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Paris Regional Medical Center. Services will be conducted at 10:00 AM Saturday, April 7, 2018, in the Open Air Chapel in Evergreen Cemetery with Rev. Lynn Hood officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:00 PM till 8:00 PM Friday at the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
James was born on August 5, 1950, in Paris, a son of Benjamin Franklin and Geraldine Bowden Leigh. He was a welding inspector for Brown & Root and served in the U.S. Air Force and played centerfield on the baseball team.
Even though he was paralyzed, he had a love for life, enjoyed people, loved baseball and loved rodeo and bull riding.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ben F. and Geraldine Leigh.
He is survived by sons, James Daniel Leigh of Rio Vista, Gerald Benjamin Leigh of South Dakota, Rufus John Leigh, and wife, Alisia of Paris; brother, Danny William Leigh, and wife, Cindy of Rio Vista; 4 grandchildren including Britni Nicole Leigh of Paris: and longtime caregiver, Betty Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Texas Rehabilitation-Fort Worth, 425 Alabama Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas.
