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James Paul Comola

James Paul Comola

James Paul Comola

James Paul Comola, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend, died in Georgetown, Texas, on June 29, 2023, after a brief illness. He was a friend to all, intelligent and accomplished, with an infectious smile that blotted out the sins of the world. His eyes always sparkled with mischief.

Paul was born November 16, 1931, in Leland, Mississippi, to Wilson and Freda Saba Comola.  His family then settled in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where he and his six brothers attended school.  His penchant for making people smile was well-developed by the time he graduated from Yazoo City High in 1949.  He loved football, played center, and was amazed at being voted Most Valuable Player his senior year.

This was the time of the Korean conflict, so he and his friends left college to join the U.S. Navy.  After his naval service, thanks to the GI bill, he was able to attend Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, graduating in 1955.  He then spent two years at Florida State University, earning his master’s degree in Social Work.

After a year as Director of the Welfare Department of Yazoo County, he worked for the Governor of Mississippi, leading and lobbying for development of rivers,      harbors and reservoirs in Mississippi and adjoining states.  He was especially proud of his work resulting in the creation of the Ross Barnett Reservoir, Mississippi’s largest drinking water resource.

In 1961 he relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, to serve as General Manager of the Trinity River Improvement Association, which was organized to widen the Trinity for barge traffic from the Gulf of Mexico to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.  Though the original vision has been modified many times over the years, his accomplishments in Austin and Washington, D.C., on the Association’s behalf are some of Paul’s proudest achievements. While in Fort Worth, he completed a second master’s degree, this one in Urban Planning, at University of Texas, Arlington.

Needing a break from the constant travel, he joined the Environmental Protection Agency as Assistant Regional Administrator for Region 6, encompassing Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and 66 Tribal Nations. Moving to Dallas, he met his wife Bev in 1980.  He took an early retirement from EPA in 1988, allowing them to relocate in 1989 near Nice, France, where Bev had accepted a two-year assignment with Texas Instruments. They capitalized on this time by traveling widely throughout Europe, including a trip to Berlin a few weeks after the wall ‘fell.’ As the U.S.S.R. neared dissolution, they were able to visit Moscow and Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

Returning to Texas in 1991, they settled at their ranch at Blue Ridge, Texas, and ran a small cow-calf operation. In 1996, with the opening of Sun City in Georgetown, Texas, they were one of the first couples to settle there.  Besides offering a wonderful lifestyle, including lots of golf and travel, this enabled them to be closer to his son in Austin and participate more fully in the growing-up years of their two precious granddaughters. 

Paul and Bev both missed rural life so in 2000 they purchased acreage in the Texas Hill Country northeast of Marble Falls.  This served as their restful retreat from the city. They fenced the cattle out rather than in, allowing them to more easily manage the land for wildlife.  With many feeders, they received immense pleasure watching wild mammals and a multitude of birds.  Walking fields, woods, and creek-side, field guides in hand, provided a superb education in native flora and fauna of the region.

Paul is survived by his best friend and wife of 43 years, Beverly (Bev) Hoffmann, his son Jon Comola and wife Laura, and grandchildren Jacqueline Comola, Jessica Comola and husband Tim Earley, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his older son, Jim-Paul, and his six brothers, Constantine, Nick, David, Wilson, Webb and Fred.

Paul’s family would like to thank the staff and residents of Grand Living Georgetown for all their loving support.  Arrangements are being handled by Ramsey Funeral Home of Georgetown.  Paul requested no services. His ashes will be interred at a later date at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas, where he served for several years as their representative at Sun City, Texas.

Paul was a life-long supporter of his alma mater.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Millsaps College Annual Fund, 1701 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi, 39210, to the Alzheimer’s Association, or to a charity of your choosing.