James Watt ("Jim") Shrieve, aged 86, passed away at his beloved Whitetail Junction Ranch in Junction, Texas on November 9, 2024.

Born in Ohio in 1938, Jim lost his father, Horace Watt Rhodes, a pilot in WW2, in 1944. His mother later remarried, and Jim and his siblings, Margie and Betty, were raised thereafter by their mother, Elizabeth Ramsey, and their step-father Eugene Shrieve.

In 1955, Jim married Wanda Price and they had their first child, Debra ("Debbie") Shrieve. Following graduation from the University of Cincinnati in 1961, he went to work for Shell Chemical in Ohio, where he and Wanda had two more children, James Bradley ("Brad") and Tracy Shrieve. In 1968, the family moved to New Jersey when Jim was transferred to Shell's New York CIty headquarters. When Shell moved its headquarters to Houston in 1970, the family followed Shell to Texas where they would remain.

In 1978, after leaving Shell, and with his children by his side, Jim founded Shrieve Chemical by marketing sulfur and sulfuric acid across the United States. Jim's best friend, Ed Beckler, joined the firm early on, and was later joined by his son, Phil Beckler. Through extensive growth and various acquisitions, Shrieve branched out into several divisions, including manufacturing, blending, and distributing various chemicals.

During Jim's years at its helm, Shrieve went from a boot-strap startup to a multinational corporation employing people throughout the United States and from around the world. Today, Shrieve Chemical continues to thrive worldwide.

In addition to the chemical business, Jim also embraced outdoor business ventures, and in 1999, acquired Whitetail Junction Ranch, a whitetail hunting ranch, where he entertained clients, formed life-long friendships, and fell in love with the beauty of the West Texas terrain. In the early 2000s, the ranch was expanded to include exotic hunts in addition to the whitetail. As with Shrieve Chemical, the ranches continue to thrive today.

In his personal life, Jim embraced life to its fullest. Though married three times before, Jim met and married his current wife, Annie, in 2004. Introduced by a mutual friend, the two met for breakfast at IHOP, and their course as a couple was set. With their marriage, Jim acquired two step-daughters, Annette Mills and Lacey Page.

Together, Jim & Annie enjoyed traveling the US and the world. The two traveled extensively in their motorhome, visiting friends and family, going on numerous wild game and trophy hunts, and other out-of-the-way adventures.

Though Jim was the epitome of a true entrepreneur, starting a business from scratch and turning it into a worldwide success, he never lost his best feature–his heart. Jim was one of the kindest, gentlest, and most loving people this world has known.

Jim loved everything outdoors. From running marathons, playing golf, to hunting large game, Jim embodied the spirit of the outdoorsman through and through. Jim's journey as a sportsman continues even now, though his hunting grounds have changed to a better place.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Horace Watt Rhodes, his biological father, J. Eugene Shrieve, his step-father, his mother, Elizabeth Ramsey; his sister, Betty Ayers; his eldest daughter, Debbie Shrieve; his son, Brad Shrieve, and his great grand-daughter, Miley Beleele.

Jim is survived by his sister, Marjorie ("Margie") Speaks; former spouse and the mother of his children, Wanda L. Shrieve; his current wife, Annie Shrieve; daughter, Tracy Shrieve, step-daughter, Annette Mills, step-daughter, Lacey Page; daughter-in-law, Michelle Shrieve; grandchildren: Amanda Drake (Beleele), descendant of Debbie Shrieve; Jennifer Shrieve (Smith), Jessica Shrieve, and Jason Shrieve descendants of Brad Shrieve; Shari Bingham and Robin Bingham, descendants of Tracy Shrieve; Peyton Page and Forrest Page, descendants of Lacey Page; numerous great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Above all, Jim was deeply loved and will be sorely missed.

A memorial service Jim will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Texas Children's Hospital.