JAMES CHARLES RAYBURN

1940-2017

Mr. James Charles (“Jim”) Rayburn of Houston, Texas departed from this life on December 5th, 2017 at the age of 76.

Jim will be loved and missed by his surviving mother Vivian Conder, wife of 48 years Elizabeth Isaacks, sons James “Brian” (wife Jennifer) and Charles Brady, grandchildren Reese, Jude, and Cole, and sister Sandra (husband Alan). He is preceded in death by his father Charles Ira.

Jim was born on December 19, 1940 in Powderly, Texas to Vivian and Charles Rayburn. He graduated from La Marque High School in 1958 and went on to graduate from The University of Texas in 1962, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration. In 1969 he married Elizabeth Isaacks, whom he met immediately following his time in the Texas Air National Guard from 1962-1968. After four years of marriage, the couple welcomed their first son, Brian, into their lives and five years later Charles was born. His children remember him as a committed father who encouraged them to dream big and become independent young men.

Jim began his career in 1963 working for Humble Oil as a Systems Design Engineer. Over the next 15 years he parlayed his technical background into significant sales and marketing roles at RCA and McDonnell Douglas, and in 1979 formed Rayburn Group, a healthcare recruiting firm.

Jim enjoyed golfing, riding motorcycles, dancing with Liz and neighborhood friends and summer vacations with the family. He was a witty individual with a dry sense of humor who loved practical jokes. Those closest to him were often the subjects of his escapades and came to view being targeted as a badge of honor.

At Jim’s request, his body has been donated to The Baylor College of Medicine. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, December 16th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at The Greenwood Forest Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s memory to The American Cancer Society.