Waits, James R.A. 91, a long time resident of Farmers Branch, died Thursday, June 24th as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in which his wife, Hassie, was also injured. The son of R.W. and Almetta Williams Waits, he was born in Commerce, Texas June 21, 1919. Following his graduation from Mt. Vernon High School he worked in the family lumber yard. James enlisted and began his career with the United States Navy in 1942, and he married Hassie Lee Hale in Memphis, Tennessee July 30, 1949. They moved to Farmers Branch in 1950 and following his retirement from the Navy he resumed his work in the family lumber business (Waits Lumber Yard and later, Farmers Branch Lumber Company). Following his retirement from the lumber business he became a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service retiring in 1986. He served for 17 years in the Navy Reserve in addition to his 3 years of active duty. J.R. was a member of the Farmers Branch Church of Christ (The Branch). He was also a member or the Toastmasters Club and was a medal winner in the Senior Olympics. He was very interested in health and fitness and was an avid reader with a thirst for knowledge. Visitation will be Monday, July 5th from 4-6 p.m. at Rhoton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 6th at the Farmer Branch Church of Christ,3333 Valley View Lane in Farmers Branch. Eddy Ketchersid will officiate with burial to follow in Hilltop Memorial Park. Preceded in death by his parents, a brother Neal and a sister Florine Griffith, survivors include his wife of 61 years, Hassie Lee Hale Waits; a son, James Gregory Waits and his wife Donna Edmondson of Rowlett; a daughter, Linda Jackson and her husband Joe Jackson of Davidsonville, Maryland; six grandchildren, Aaron Schechner of Rockville, Maryland, Mary Ellie Fuentes of Bowie, Maryland, Arianna Waits of Denton, Texas, Jimmy Jackson and Josette Jackson both of Davidsonville, Maryland, Shaina Edmondson of Dallas; three great-grandchildren, Wesley, Tony and Bianca Velasquez all of Bowie, Maryland and a sister, Argaree Martin Laham of Rockwall, Texas, a sister-in-law, B.J. Waits Gatlin of Carrollton Texas and several cousins including Bernice Allen of Dallas Texas and several nieces and nephews