James Albert Prugel, Jr.

James Albert Prugel, Jr. (Jim), of Graham, Texas, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 21, 2024. He was born on October 1, 1943, in Abilene, Texas, to James Albert Prugel and Clara Yvonne Jones. James graduated from Abilene High School in1962. He graduated from Texas A & M University in 1966 with a B.A. in Economics and minors in Business and Foreign Language.

Just out of college, Jim began a career in the private sector with H.L. Hunt Oil Company. This job took him to California and Alabama. He returned to Texas in 1969, where he held positions with Ensearch Corporation and Redman Industries in Dallas.  In 1974, Jim began a 22-year career in municipal government with the City of Mesquite, Texas, starting out as the Chief Accountant for the City. In 1976, he was promoted to Director of Finance and Treasurer. In 1987, he was appointed City Manager, a position he served in until his retirement in 1995.

Upon retirement, Jim and Lynn moved to Montague County where he continued the cow and calf operation he started in 1981. They remained there until 2016, when they decided was time to move closer to town. They chose Graham, Texas.

Jim was a member of Cornerstone Methodist Church in Graham, Rising Virtue Lodge No. 4 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, The Scottish Rite, Valleys of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of Texas, San Jacinto Descendants, and Dallas County Pioneer Association.  Jim married Gay Lynn Shaw in Mesquite, Texas, on May 17, 1979. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Karl Prugel.

He is survived by his wife, Gay Lynn Prugel; son, James Albert Prugel III and wife, Mariel; daughter, Paige Goen and husband, Charles; son, John May and wife, Erynne; grandchildren, Kayla Bridges and husband, Grant; Ashlynn Maldonado; Lukas May; Rylan May; Sadie May; and Graham May; great-grandson, Charles Maldonado; sisters, Pamela and husband, Mike Lange, and Claire and husband, Frank Miller.