James "JJ" Laventon was born on August 15, 1943 to Roy and Ida Lee Laventon.

He attended local schools in Falls County, Texas and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Marlin, Texas. Shortly after high school he was drafted by the United States Army but volunteered to enlist in The Marine Corps.  He completed recruit training in Parris Island, South Carolina. His rank in the Corps was Sergeant (Sgt E-5). His duties consisted of working with marine engineers in the South Pacific operating bulldozers and heavy equipment to build aircraft landing strips. This explains his love for dozers and tractors in his everyday work after his truck driving career. A few of his accolades in the military include: An Expert Rifleman Medal and an All American Corps Champion 100 meter dash award in 1967. He was a track star and came very close to becoming an Olympian.  He was also a member of the Corps football team. After James returned home from the military he began his truck driving career. He worked as a truck driver for several companies before becoming an independent driver. He was a member of The Black Farmers Association and loved farming and caring for his livestock which included more than 100 head of cattle.

James met and later married Hattie Neal Simon in August of 1980.

He was preceded in death by his stepson Bertram Carraway; his parents Roy and Ida Laventon; his wife Hattie Laventon; four sisters Vera Moore, Jerline Clark, Doris M. Carter and Christine Thornton. He leaves to cherish his memory two sisters Viola Myles (Waco, Texas) and Sharlette Laventon (Houston, Texas); two stepsons Erwin Carraway and

Arrangements are under the direction of Allen Dave Funeral Home and Crematorium

2103 Cypress Landing Dr. Houston, Texas 77090. 713-480-2966

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.AllenDave.com