James Earl "Jimmy" Amberson, age 82, of Hondo passed away Monday, December 29, 2008. He was born in San Antonio on September 11, 1926, the son of James and Cora Evelyn Lacy Amberson. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Crickett Adams Amberson, and brothers Tommy and Sammy Amberson. Jim graduated from Hondo High School in 1944 and went on to attend Texas A&M. He was then drafted into the Army Air Corp in January 1945. After the war, Jim received his Associates Degree from Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde. One of the highlights of every summer for Jim was his junior college class reunion where he and his classmates reminisced about the good times during their time together in Uvalde. Following college, Jim returned to Hondo to farm and ranch with his father. He then became a physical training instructor and basketball coach at Texas Aviation Industries (TAI) for several years before returning to farming. He owned and operated a broomcorn bailing business serving Texas and parts of New Mexico. Jim loved hunting and the outdoors. Many of the family's fondest memories include hunting and camping adventures. He also loved being a grandfather and encouraged a love of nature in his grandchildren. Jim was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Hondo and served with the volunteer fire department for many years. He will be missed by his surviving family members, son James O. "Jimbo" Amberson and wife Diane of Rio Medina; daughters Annabelle Estep of Waco, Mary Jane Burnett of Kilgore, Robyn Decker and husband Kirk of Hondo and Lynda Clarke and husband Patrick of Natalia; 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; sister Evelyn Brucks and husband George of Hondo, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 1, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church of Hondo, burial will follow at the Hondo Cemetery, Oakwood Section.