James Thomas Jim Fulgham

James Thomas "Jim" Fulgham, 84, died Monday, November 29, 2010, in his residence with his beloved family at his side.

Born and raised in Sturgis, Mississippi to Ollie Andrew and Laura Jane Coleman Fulgham, Mr. Fulgham served his country in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He moved to New Iberia in 1970 and lived there until 2008. From 1950 until November of 1987, he worked for Entex, now Centerpoint Energy, retiring as District Manager at the New Iberia office. During his tenure with Entex, he was recognized for Outstanding Sales Achievement, was named "Boss of the Year," and was named a member of the Hall of Fame in 1961.

He was active in many community and civic activities, including the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce, where he was recognized for Outstanding Contribution to Community in 1979 and 1980 and served as president of the Leesville Chamber of Commerce in 1969 and 1984. He was on the Board of Directors of the United Way and led the United Givers Fund for Iberia Parish in 1975 and 1976. Mr. Fulgham was also active in the Louisiana Lions Club, serving as president, secretary and treasurer in different years, as well as having been named Lion of the Year in Jennings in 1954. He actively supported the Lions Club Camp for Crippled Children in Leesville. He was president of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation in 1983 and also served as a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Mr. Fulgham was a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church while living in Lake Charles, and during his years in New Iberia, was a member of the Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church, serving on the Parish Council and Eucharistic Minister and lector. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and travelling in the family motor home.

Mr. Fulgham is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Vera Thibodeaux Fulgham; daughter Linda LeBleu and husband Julien "Sonny" LeBleu, all of Lake Charles; two grandchildren Charles Thomas LeBleu of Houston and Catherine LeBleu of Lake Charles; and brother, H. A. Fulgham of Sturgis, Mississippi.

He was preceded in death by his son, Raford Craig Fulgham and one grandchild, Jennifer Aline LeBleu.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2010, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Concelebrants will be Msgr. James Gaddy, Msgr. Paul Metrejean and Msgr. Keith Derouen. Visitation will be from 5 until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, with a scripture service at 6 p.m., and on Thursday from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, One Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1584, Lake Charles, LA 70629, or the charity of one's choice.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the dedicated and compassionate care given Mr. Fulgham to Odyssey Hospice and Dr. James P. Gaharan and his excellent staff.