James Thomas Modisette, most affectionately known as “Tom”, “Son” or “Dadaw”. An engaging teacher, brilliant instructor, and exemplary mentor, he was always rescuing young’uns. Whether literally, physically snatching drowning young children out of various bodies of water from Orange to San Antonio, Texas; encouraging broken adults, emotionally, to cry on his enormous broad shoulders or ministering to their spiritual health through prayer and God’s Word, he was constantly aware of people’s needs and fulfilling them whenever, and however he could. Born in Lufkin Memorial Hospital and raised “country” in Allentown. He coached Dixie League baseball 7 plus years in Lufkin. Taking at least one team all the way to State and manager of the year in 1983. Also, he was a dutiful Boy Scout moving out of his council area just shy of attaining Eagle designation. Then giving back as a scout leader/mentor as recently as 2018. He began serving in the church at a young age, turning that passion for the Lord and youth into a position as youth leader at a local church. He developed an integrity and work ethic that shot him to the top of every company he worked for. He was equal parts genius, artist, architect, engineer, and inventor. Completing high school, he mostly attended “Hard Knocks” University, yet was given so many educational awards, attended so many classes and trainings, even sometimes teaching them, that he was told he earned enough credits for an associate’s degree. He valued education so highly that even as a supervisor, when most workers relax their routine, he took on volunteering with learning-delayed students through the Koala Kids tutoring program at Peach Elementary near Beaumont. Faithful and humble to the last breath, his blessing to all was “May the Lord bless you and you be in heaven for three days before the devil even knows you’re dead”. He treated everybody he knew as the closest of friends and strangers simply as friends he hadn’t met yet. He passed peacefully in his sleep by his wife’s side early Wednesday morning, March 26th, 2025, into the arms of his Savior. His greatest desire is that everyone he loves also cultivate a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ so that he will see you there too someday.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar & Lena Bell Sims Modisette, and younger brothers Johnnie C “Dute” and Maurice “Easy” Modisette and brothers-in-law.
He is survived by his loving wife Darleen Keith Modisette ; their children, Clint and wife Coleen Garig, Melinda and Husband Mark Allen, Vicki and her husband Matthew Baker; Tom’s son Dwight Modisette; daughter’s, Anita and Olivia and Chris Modisette; grandkids, Corey, Janice, Courtney, Brooke, Cammie, Macey, Miranda, James, Mattie, Corey, Kim, April, Jason, Bart, Casey, Carver, and Autumn; great grands, Keigan, Alexander, Charolette, Cherie, Millie, T.J., Vann, Lainey, Preslee Quinn, Max, Marley, Mercie, and Malachi; sisters, Jo Ann Franklin and Jan Jones; sister in law, Wilda Keith and her husband Johnny Barton; Also a multitude of beloved nephews and nieces, students, and youth.
A Memorial Service was held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Fellowship Church in Woodville, Texas. Visitation with family was from 3 p.m. until the time of the service.
Services are held under the direction of Riley Funeral Home, Woodville. 548
