James Balentine

James McAnear Balentine, known to his friends and family as "Mac," died peacefully Friday night September 4, 2015. He had 75 years of a life full of adventure, love, heartache, and laughter. Mac was born in Roxton on August 19, 1940 to Jack and Bessie Balentine. He was next to the youngest of 8 children. He worked in the cotton fields and graduated valedictorian of his high school class. He went on scholarship to Texas A&M where his blood turned maroon. He graduated with an MBA in Accounting. He met Donna Lea Davis, his future wife, by dating her roommate at Texas Women's University first, then deciding Donna was who he really liked. Mac and Donna were married in 1965 and lived in Denton where he worked for US Steel. He went into the National Guard for a brief time in 1967. In 1970, Mac got his job at Uncle Ben's Rice where he worked until his retirement. His children can't buy anything else but Uncle Ben's rice to this day. He was in the forefront of Information Systems, seeing the computers go from punch cards to laptops. He loved the latest technology his whole life. Mac has three children and was an example of a loving husband and father. Reb (Robert) was adopted in 1972, Christy was born in 1973, and Jamey (James) was born in 1977. He raised them in his home in Katy, Texas and spent countless hours at baseball games, tennis matches, dance recitals, marching band competitions, and supporting his wife's catering business. After Donna died in 2002, he took up dancing to "meet the ladies" and met Rhoda Zelitt. They married in 2005 and he gained four sons, David, Stephen, Michael, and Marvin. He has been living in Houston with his wife Rhoda for the last 10 years, working part time at Kroger and enjoying his eight grandchildren and Rhoda's grandchildren as well. Mac loved to read and was never without a book in progress. Another favorite past time was watching Aggie and Dallas Cowboy football and yelling at the refs on TV. (You'd be surprised to hear how loud this quiet man could get). He made life-long friends playing in a bridge league with Donna, a tradition that he and Rhoda continued. Golf was another hobby that he learned from his father-in-law. Mac loved traveling and saw exotic places near and far. He regularly packed his family on station wagon drives around the country, took both Donna and Rhoda on cruises, and traveled abroad with Mars, Inc. Above all, when his family thinks of Dad (Mac), we think of him as a caretaker who had a servant's heart. He was unselfish in his sacrifice of time, emotional support, and acts of physical care. Thank you for all you did for us. The family would be honored if donations were made to the Congregation Or Ami, 3443 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, Texas 77042.

James Balentine

August 19, 1940 - September 4, 2015