Obituary for James (Jamie) Dean Magruder

James (Jamie) Dean Magruder was born on January 20, 1958, in Jacksonville, and he passed away on October 20, 2024, at the age of 66. 

Jamie was born to Jimmie and Bonnie Magruder and was raised in Alto, Texas. He excelled in both academics and sports. He was quite the athlete. Unbeknownst to many, he also won first place for being an excellent UIL storyteller and memorized poetry. He graduated from Alto High School in 1976 and was offered both a mathematics and baseball scholarship upon graduation. He could work with numbers in his head faster than someone could put them in a calculator. He graduated from Paris Junior College where he played baseball and then attended Stephen F. Austin University. After college he worked for Charter Oil Refinery in Pasadena, Texas for several years and married the love of his life, Judy Henry Magruder. Jamie and Judy married in 1983, returned to Rusk to make a home, and together had three daughters: JayAnna, Jordan, and Jenny Sue. 
His world revolved around all his girls! When the girls were little, he was a dedicated coach for Little Dribblers, T-ball, and softball. He never missed a practice or a game. He also taught them the importance of excelling academically in order to have successful careers and preached to them, “Get a good education so you never have to rely on a man.” 
To the people closest to him, they all knew that Jamie’s love language was acts of service. He spent many hours detailing and cleaning his girls’ vehicles when they came home to visit. He was always so eager to help if anyone needed it. He also was extremely generous and loved to give. He absolutely loved preparing food and then sharing it with others. His specialties were smoked meat, brownies, and jalapeno peppers. He often made true feasts for breakfast even on week days. Holidays will never be the same without his good food! 
When Jamie moved back to Rusk many years ago, he started his career as a wholesale lumber salesman. He sold lumber for 39 years and worked for R & R Wood Products out of Louisiana since 2008. He was a member of Birmingham Golf Club for many years as well. He truly loved working in his yard. He had a green thumb and won “Yard of the Month” more than once. 
Under Jamie’s tough macho exterior was a very romantic husband and tender-hearted man. He was an active member of Grace Fellowship Church and loved the Lord. He adored his only grand-daughter, Anna-Kate, and was excited about Anna-Kate’s sibling that is due in spring 2025. He also really loved his Golden Retriever grand-dog, Colt, whom he shared a birthday with and had combined birthday parties with! He often would babysit Colt when his parents were away on trips. 
Jamie was preceded in death by his father, Jimmie Magruder, and his grandparents. 
Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife of 41 years, Judy, his daughters, JayAnna Byrd and husband Caleb of Bullard, Jordan Magruder of Tyler, and Jenny Sue Redfield and husband Jimmy of Nacogdoches. He is also survived by his mother, Bonnie Magruder of Alto, his mother-in-law Joann Jackson of Rusk, grand-daughter Anna-Kate Byrd, grand-dog Colt, his sister, Paulette Keeney and husband Ken of Houston, his Uncle Donald Paul Rains and wife Alicia of Flint, sister-in-law Cathy Dowell and husband Johnny of Willis, brother-in-law Claude Henry and wife Julie of Chandler, and numerous nieces and nephews. 
There will be services to celebrate Jamie’s life and legacy. A visitation open to all family and friends will be Wednesday, October 23 from 5-7 pm at Wallace Thompson funeral home in Rusk. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, October 24 at 11 AM at Grace Fellowship Church in Rusk. A private family burial will be held following services. 
Pallbearers will be Zane McDonald, Dan Lade, John Burns, Kenneth Vanderslice, and Jack White. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy McElroy, Terry Rogers, Steve Smith, Richard Rushing, and Richard Singletary. 
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Grace Fellowship Church building fund at P.O. Box 260 Rusk, Tx 75785.