Carlyle enjoying retirement after years of public service
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Jim Carlyle's life has never lacked for excitement. The former fighter pilot and volunteer fireman is now enjoying retirement after many years of community service.

Among the tall pines of Troup lives a man who is well known for his work ethic, his community leadership and his big heart.

Jim Carlyle came to Troup at the tender age of six months after being born just up the road in Mineola. His father was a partner in the funeral home business and later owned the local lumber yard.

Carlyle grew up in the bustling little town of Troup, attending school there and graduating in 1948.

"During the oil boom years we were a busy little place," Carlyle said. "I've experienced the ups and downs with the town."

Upon graduation, Carlyle headed for Southern Methodist University where he gained a degree in marketing in the school of business.

He learned early about leadership. He ran for president of the student body, and John Tower, who later became a Texas senator, was his campaign manager.

The Korean War was raging when Carlyle completed college. His country needed him and he was quick to serve. In 1952, bypassing boot camp, he jumped right into pilot training in the U.S. Air Force. Rising to the rank of captain, Carlyle flew B-47E, six-engine jet bombers and completed his service five years after entering the military.

He took home war stories and a wonderful bride, Dora.

When he returned to Troup, he went into partnership with his father, Joe B. Carlyle, at the lumber yard. Business was good and expanded at almost every angle. Young Carlyle expanded the retail lumber business and took on retail and commercial construction and even became a licensed real estate broker.

Along with the responsibility and the work came the children. Carlyle says he is now blessed with son Joe, daughters Kathy and Linda and nine grandchildren.

Of course, when returning back to Troup, he went to work with his friends and neighbors in the Troup Volunteer Fire Department. He became a licensed paramedic and made emergency medical calls in Troup, Arp, Whitehouse, New Summerfield and all the outlying areas for 15 years. Carlyle served for 60 years a member of the VFD.

That experience led him to serve for 21 years on the 911 board of directors and the #2 Emergency Services District board. He has since retired from both, but brought immeasurable knowledge and skills to those agencies.

The City of Troup is home to Jim and Dora, his wife of 55 years, and he truly cares about its stability and continued growth. Over the years he has served on the city council as well as mayor.

Carlyle says of all his community involvement the one that is closest to his heart is his work with the St. Paul Children's Foundation. He has served on the board of directors of this organization for many years.

This faith-based organization, founded through Marvin United Methodist Church, works hand in hand with its East Tyler neighbors to rebuild and renew community and spiritual life. Among its many services, St. Paul Children's Foundation ministries includes medical and dental care for children who would otherwise go without much-needed care. A clothes closet, food pantr y, mobile health care van and the Wonderful Wednesday After-School Program round out the list of ministries through the foundation.

Wonderful Wednesday is where SPCF began when two faithful members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church felt called to minister to children of the community.

Today, more than 100 elementary and middle school children and 40 adult volunteers meet weekly during the school year to hear Bible stories, sing songs, share a snack, go on field trips and be nurtured by the loving volunteers.

"They are the happiest group of volunteers I've ever seen," Carlyle said. "While we go to church down here in Troup, working with those people through the St. Paul Children's Foundation has got to be my best use of time."

Speaking of his home church, First United Methodist Church of Troup, Carlyle says he has served in just about every capacity and been a member of ever y group at that church except the women's Bible study. They said he didn't meet the requirements.

Carlyle says he's enjoyed so much of his involvement in Troup and he loves his life there. But what he enjoys most these days is spending time at home with Dora.

A life of service to a community and people you love is wonderful, but so is retirement.