James (Jim) R. Haas

James R. (Jim) Haas was born on March 14, 1946 in Wellington, Kansas.  He was raised in Oklahoma City, OK, attended school and graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1964.  Jim started college at Oklahoma University, served proudly in the U. S. Air Force for five years.

While serving in Florida, he met Sandy Gazdak who he married in 1968.  When discharged from the USAF, they moved to Oklahoma City so he could continue his education.  Jim worked nights at Western Electric and attended Oklahoma City University during the day, graduating in 1970.  He became a food salesman for Davis Foods where he was recognized as Salesman of the Year.  Jim worked several years in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area until he was transferred to Stillwater, Oklahoma.  There, after several years of waiting, Jim and Sandy were able to adopt their two sons.

After two company transfers, one to Denison, Texas, and several company buyouts, Jim decided to open his own restaurant.  In 1992, he opened O’Briens Main Street Café in Denison, Texas.  In 2004, he moved to Laguna Vista, Texas and opened Bayside Café.

Jim loved eating out, movies, reading, crossword puzzles, trivia, traveling, and sightseeing.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Haas, his brother, Larry Joe Haas, and his father, J. R. Haas.

He is survived by Sandy his wife, son Joe and wife Chrysta, son Tom, sister Ruby, and sister-in-law, Marilyn, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville and Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville for their care.

There will be a “Celebration of Life” on Saturday, February 24, 2018.

Arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Highway 77, San Benito, Texas.  www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com (956) 361-9192