Borth

James Edward Borth, 92, of Mount Pleasant, passed away Sept. 24 in Plano, surrounded by his loving family. James was born March 8, 1924 in Kaufman to Herman and Essie Borth. In 1942, at the age of 18, James enlisted in the US Army Air Force. He excelled at ight school and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutanant Pilot in May of 1944. James would serve as a ight instructor with the 559th Base Unit for the rest of the war. Afterwards, he served in the Air Force Reserve until 1955. A er his military service, Mr. Borth began commercial farming and crop dusting in west Texas. Later, he would own two Harley-Davidson dealerships in Longview and Tyler, and would work as the Director of the East Texas Division of the Department of Agriculture before retiring in 1990. James is survived by his wife of 34 years, Eva Rice Borth; a son: David Borth and wife Becki of the Woodlands; two daughters: Frieda Borth of Austin, and Jane Borth Cates and husband Gary of Little Elm. He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Essie Borth. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 at Erman Smith Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. at Kaufman City Cemetery in Kaufman.