Women loved him, fish feared him. James “Jim” Everett Ely was born on October 20th, 1946 in Stillwater Oklahoma to Joyce and Delbert Ely. In 1968 he married Linda Louise Lamkin Ely. They shared over 50 years and countless adventures together until her death in 2020.

Jim was a man of numerous talents and interests. In 1979 he achieved his Doctor in Medicine from University of Missouri, going on to also become a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (F.A.C.O.G). After completing his residency, Jim, Linda, and their 3 children moved to Bay City, TX where Jim setup a practice in Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1983. If you were born between 1983 and 2007 there is a good chance you were one of the 4000+ babies he delivered, and his were the first loving hands that held you. Jim was loved by his patients and colleagues. Not one to sit around, when he wasn’t tending to his patients, he could be found woodworking, scuba diving, fishing, riding his horse Sue, or working his cattle.

Blessed with the gift to not only heal the body, but also the spirit in 2002 Jim was called to take his lifelong faith to the pulpit and became ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. Jim served St. John’s in Palacios Texas for 10 years before stepping down. He was also a charter board member of several local organizations that were dear to his heart including the Women’s Crisis Center, Kids in Distress Services, and MEHOP.

In 2022 Jim was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and he died of IPF related heart failure.

In 2023, Jim did what he thought was impossible and found love again. Jim married Nancy Wirth Knapik with whom he enjoyed 3 joyful, but way too short years.

He leaves behind a legacy of family and faith. He is preceded in death by Linda, his parents, and his two brothers Tom and Richard. Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy, his children, Megan Ely Lewis (Chris), James Morgan Ely (Laura), and Joseph Matthew Ely as well as his beloved grandchildren Kristen Lewis, Lucy Ely, Emily Lewis, and James M. Ely. In addition to his family he will be missed by his lifelong friends and traveling companions, JP, Otto, Dixon, Claudette and Watt.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Marks Episcopal Church on May 1st at 2:00pm with the Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, IX Episcopal Bishop of Texas officiating. Interment will be at Christ Cathedral in Houston, Texas at a later date.

Remembrances may be made to St. Marks Episcopal Church of Bay City, St. John’s Episcopal Church of Palacios, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.