James Joseph Hanratty, devoted husband, father, grandfather passed away on March 12, 2015 at his home in Houston, TX. Born July 23, 1926 to the late Alice Peel and John Hanratty, in Philadelphia, PA, it was there he met and married his wife of sixty-one years, the late Anne Marie Byrne Hanratty. Jim proudly served in the Navy during WWII and went on to earn a degree in chemical engineering from Drexel Institute of Technology. He subsequently completed a master's degree in business administration from New York University.
Becoming a “naturalized” Texan in 1955, Jim moved to Houston and started his own sales company. Known affectionately
as “the Bear,” Jim loved his wife, children, and work and learning. The legacy he leaves to his children, grandchildren, and numerous close friends is a rich one. He taught us living your faith provides rewards in abundance, that a person is only as good as his word, that a true entrepreneur will always find the opportunity, and that laughter, friends and good food should always be welcomed into your home.
He will be greatly missed by his family: sister Mae Smith, children, Nancy Lopez and husband Manuel; Maureen Celii and husband Francis; James Hanratty and wife Linda; Lelia Culpepper and husband Joe; Brenda Boeckman and husband Clarence; Sean Hanratty and wife Marti; Kevin Hanratty; Kathleen Rossi; twenty-one grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Marta Tapia and Maribel Alvarez became part of the extended family.
The funeral mass will be held on Saint Patrick's Day, Jim's favorite holiday, Tuesday, March 17th, 2015, at 10 am at Our Lady of Walsingham, 7809 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston, 77055. Family and friends are invited to the reception following the mass and encouraged to wear green.
In lieu of flowers, Jim wished donations in his name be made to Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, 8900 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036 or Covenant House, 1111 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006.
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