JAMES EARL “SLIM” CAPPS

James Earl “Slim” Capps, of Mart, passed away at his home on Navarro Mills Lake, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at age 77.

Graveside services were held on Saturday, March 14, at Old Union Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jerry Refior, Jacob Powell, Wallace Allman, Bubba Hennard, Randy Yrios and Jeremy Williams.

James was born March 20, 1948, to Edgar L. Capps and Bertha Lee (Calhoun) Capps at their home in Thornton. He grew up as the baby in a household with 6 sisters and 2 brothers, and while he grew up in a household full of laughter, he was both “Mama’s Baby” and “Daddy’s Baby,” learning at a young age that he could always get his way (“his way or no way”) and that he was “always right.” Part of his early life was in Thornton and Groesbeck, and he went to school in Ben Hur and later in Groesbeck, and then finished high school at Cypress Fairbanks High.

He went to work for a dairy in Houston, and then moved to Farrar where his family had moved. After moving to Limestone County, he went to work for the Texas Highway Department, where he continued working in Limestone County and later in McLennan County until his retirement.

James had always enjoyed the outdoors, camping and fishing. Slim and Sissy, his special friend for the past twenty years, lived in Mart. He enjoyed putting in a garden in the backyard, as well as spending a few weeks at local campgrounds where he could spend some of his time fishing. He also enjoyed watching old Westerns on TV and old classic County and Western music.

James was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Leonard Capps who perished in an accident with a train along with his wife and baby on New Years Day of 1950; his brother, Edward Capps; and 4 sisters: Merle Mooneyham, Eddie Lee Cates, Louise Griggs, and Mary Lou Dobbs.

He is survived by his dear friend and significant other, Sissy Yrios, of Mart, and her two sons, Robert Yrios and Randy Yrios and their families; his two daughters, Lynnia Sue Billy of Conroe and Peggy Tuttle of Tomball; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Doris and husband Ray Tate of Tyler and Reba Gomez of Tyler; a niece, Elgan Burrows who was like a sister as she lived with his family; and many more nieces and nephews.

Please visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.