James Kenneth Gaither, 87, of Abilene died Saturday, May 23, 2020 at his daughter's home in Clyde. A service with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene.

James was born August 4, 1932 in Denton to Kervy Allen and Lillie Bea (Godwin) Gaither. He attended schools in Beaumont and California and served his country in the U.S. Army. He married Delores Sheperd in Beaumont on July 19, 1953. He worked for Marshall Young Oilfield Service as a pumper for 27 years. He moved to Abilene from Brownfield in June of 2019 and was a member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ and the VFW.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Delores (Dorey) Gaither; two daughters, Brenda Howard and husband Johnnie of Clyde and Dorey Brown of Lubbock; sister Jan Gaither of Nacogdoches; two grandchildren, Heather McClure and husband Scott and Jason Howard and wife Allison; six great grandchildren, Megan McClure, Bethany McClure, Jessie Howard, Harper Howard, Bailey Howard and Ellis Howard.

James was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, David (Dave) Gaither and Kenneth Allen Gaither, grandson Wade Howard, two brothers and two sisters.