James Philen, 81, of Kirbyville, a former long time resident of Bridge City, passed away Thursday, September 15, 2011, at Christus St. Mary?s Hospital in Port Arthur.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 18, 2011, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Bridge City with Reverend Charles Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home in Bridge City.

Born in Natchitoches, Louisiana on February 18, 1930, James was the son of Pressley Philen and Annie Lucille Lonadier Philen. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and worked as a heavy equipment operator for AF Jones. James loved to go hunting and fishing with his grandsons and working on his garden.

Preceded in death by his brother, Felton Dick Philen and daughter, Helen Sue Philen, James is survived by his wife of 60 years, Melba Philen; and daughters, Annie ?Coonie? Corkran of Bridge City, and Kimberly Philen of Kirbyville. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Cody Corkran and wife, Kelli, Calvin Corkran, Brandi Fitzgerald and husband, Jeremy, and Joshua Brown; seven great grandchildren; brother, Gerald Philen of Natchitoches, Louisiana; sister, Marguerite Hardy of Haughton, Louisiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Cody Corkran, Calvin Corkran, Joshua Brown, Jeremy Fitzgerald, Elbert Baldwin, Dale Corkran and Tim Patrick. Honorary Pallbearer will be Gerald Philen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital, Hoops for St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.