Jimmy Wayne Best

ARLINGTON -- Jimmy Wayne Best, 77, of Arlington died at home the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Hospice of Texas, 6100 Western Place, Suite 105, Fort Worth, Texas. He was born Oct. 7, 1935, in Blackwell to Evert and Altha Era Wrinkle Best. Jimmy served five years in the National Guard while working for Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Sweetwater. While in Sweetwater, he began working weekends as a football official. He worked high school and junior college games for 10 years. He enjoyed all sports, but his favorite was playing golf on courses in Texas and South Carolina. For almost 20 years Jim worked for Montgomery Ward. As management, he was moved from store to store where his talents were best served. He was sent to Durant, Okla., and Fayetteville, Ark., along with Texas locations of Abilene, Brownwood, Sherman and San Angelo. Jimmy ended his career with Wards in the mid-1980s at the Forum Mall in Arlington. He then worked for several major retailers including Target, Best Products and Service Merchandise. After retirement he worked part time for Sears and Foster Ace Hardware. He made friends easily and to him a friend was a friend for life. He was visited by many during his illness. As family and friends learned of Jim's imminent death, they began to drop by for a last visit. It was as if Jimmy was holding his own wake and thoroughly enjoying himself. He and his family decided then that there would be no memorial service upon his death. Jim had managed to have his wake while he could enjoy it. The family is so grateful to the many friends and family members who called and visited with Jimmy through his illness. We thank you for your prayers and support. He was preceded in death by a daughter, LaWayne Gay; sister, Joyce Marie; and parents, Evert and Altha Best. Survivors: His wife of 52 years, Sherry; daughter, Lana Joy of Hurst; sister-in-law, Carla Ellison of Merkel; brother-in-law, Danny Hobbs of Billings, Mont.; and many nieces and nephews.