James Edward “Jim” Babin passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2023. He was born in Lake Charles, La. on Sept. 4, 1946. He was the son of John William Babin and Mabel Clare Davion Babin, of Lake Charles.

Jim attended Rosteet Elementary and Marion High Schools. Always busy, he was a Boy Scout and delivered the American Press for several years, both of which, he credited with teaching him some important life lessons. He developed an interest in military history and genealogy. In 1963, he joined the Navy to see the world, and see it he did, serving for 28 years. After retiring, Jim returned to Lake Charles to earn Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Marketing degrees at McNeese State University.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Willie Pierre and Ora Hanes Babin of Lake Charles and Edward O. and Ruth Wherland Davion of Oakdale; his parents, John William and Mabel Davion Babin; uncles, Jean Carroll Babin, Clarence E. Davion (Doris) and Frank “Pete” W. Davion (Lois), aunts Kinta Marie Babin Havenar (Harold, Sr.) and Violet Davion Shaver (Dale); and cousin, Harold O. Havenar Jr.

Jim is survived by his sister, Frances Babin Hoffpauir; nephews, Christopher David Hoffpauir (Sharan), Mark Kevin Hoffpauir (Norma) and Kurt Matthew Hoffpauir; great-nephews Eric Hoffpauir and John Hoffpauir; and great nieces, Kelsey Hoffpauir, Grace Hoffpauir and Mary Hoffpauir; cousin, William Babin Havenar (Richard); sister-in-law, Ann Snyder Patterson (Pat); cousin Fred Wherland; friends, Norman “Bo” Evans (Maggie), Ken McCain (Barbara), Gladys Mitchell Wojcik, Florence Mitchell, Marcell Evans Leger, Cathy Snyder, James W. Hoffpauir (Rocio), Cynthia Hoffpauir Fontenot (Wayne), Gay Lantrip, Deborah Bean, Tammie Bryant and other nephews, nieces, cousins and lifelong friends.

A short ceremony will be held at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX, 77038, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 1:15 p.m.