James Layden

James Martin Layden, age 93, died at his home in Dallas on September 16. He was born on July 10, 1921, on Layden’s (Irish) Ridge in Talty/Forney, TX, the eldest son of Martin P. and Gertrude Campbell Layden. “Buster”, as he was known to family and friends, grew up on Center Street as a member of one of the original pioneer families there. He attended the local elementar y school and was a 1938 graduate of Forney High School where he was an all-district athlete in several sports. Thereafter known as “The Forney Flash”, he continued his education at Texas Military College, graduating in 1940; he was named Best Athlete at TMC. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin and was an active member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He graduated in 1942 with a degree in Bachelor of Business Administration. A World War II veteran, he was sworn into the Navy as an ensign in 1941. He attended Naval Supply School at Harvard Business School and served in Trinidad. He was discharged in 1946 as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Jim moved to Houston and went to work for Humble Oil. It was there he met Pat Schenck. Their marriage in October of that year was the beginning of a wonderful life together. They shared their love with their two daughters, Ann and Margi, and son David. In-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren joined the ranks over the next 67 years. Family was always a priority. Jim was a lifetime member of the Catholic Church, attending St. Martin’s in Talty as a child. In Dallas he attended first, St. Bernard’s, then St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s Catholic churches; in Colorado he attended St. Rose of Lima. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Returning to Dallas in 1951, Jim went to work for Bolt Supply Company which later became Bosco Fastening Service Center. He loved his job and eventually retired as president in 1983. After 32 years, Bosco had become one of the leading fastener distributors in the nation with warehouse/distribution centers in 25 cities in the west, southwest and midwest. In 1984, missing his friends and the activity in the fastener business, he joined Porteous Fastener Company as Southwest Regional Manager. He spent 17 years in this position, finally retiring for good in March 2001 after 50 years in the fastener industry. Business affiliations included Rotar y International, Southwest Fastener Association, and National Fastener Distributor Association. Jim served as an NFDA board member and was inducted into its Hall of Fame. Jim was a true Texan but after discovering the mountains of Colorado, he and Pat returned year after year, first to spend a few precious weeks of vacation and eventually to stay from snowmelt until fall. Vickers Ranch in Lake City became their second home, complete with a beautiful log home and friends and neighbors they cherished. Jim spent his time hiking and jeeping in the mountains, fishing, picnicking, and riding his horse Pancho. He was even known to join in the yearly Vickers’ cattle round-up. He and Pat became an integral part of the Lake City community and their time there was always precious to them. Jim is survived by Pat, his beloved wife of 67 years, daughter Ann Fox and husband Mike, daughter Margi White, son David Layden and wife Ann, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brothers John Layden and Jay Layden, sister Dody Sonntag, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Msgr. Don Fischer at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 500 South Jupiter Road, Richardson, TX 75081, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 1. Honorary pallbearers are Dean Crane, Bruce Darling, Tom Hairston, Jim Hotze, Forney classmate and neighbor Riter Hulsey, Jerry Mulkey, Barry Porteous, Dick Williams, and Joe Zimmerman. In lieu of flowers, Jim requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Family Staffing Solutions and Jim’s excellent caregivers who treated him with such respect and compassion.