James Joseph Gwosdz, 80, passed away Monday, October 21, 2013, in Corpus Christi, Texas. James was born July 27, 1933, to Regina and Joseph Gwosdz in Orange Grove. James graduated from Orange Grove High School in 1950. He worked on the family farm and worked part-time in the Oil Field until entering the Army. He served in the Army Mechanic Division and was honorably discharged early in 1956, at which time he returned to work on the family farm. He married Rose Nell Buschelmann on October 14, 1956 at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church. James began a farming operation in 1956 and the following year formed a partnership with his brother, Marvin, doing business as Gwosdz Brothers Farms and Ranch, operating until December of 2012. James was active in the Orange Grove Co-operative and served as director from 1967 to 1997. He served as president from 1970 to 1997. In 1995, James was selected as the Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Vocation Association of the FFA. In 1990 Gwosdz Brothers was selected as the Outstanding Conservation Farmer for outstanding accomplishment in the conservation soil, water, and related resources in Nueces, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Kennedy Soil Water Conservation Division, Zone 2. James was a lifetime member of St. John of the Cross Church and served on the Parish Cemetery Board and on the Catholic Life Insurance Union Board. James had three sons, Johnny James, Jeffery Jerome and Joseph Henry and one daughter, Julie Elaine. On August 7, 1973, Jeffery was killed in a tragic tractor accident. Johnny and Joe are still actively engaged in farming and ranching, having formed a partnership with Marvin's son, Martin. James is survived by Nell, his wife of 57 years, his daughter, Julie (Joel) Morris of Calallen, by two sons, Johnny Gwosdz, and Joe (Terri) Gwosdz, all of Orange Grove, by four grandchildren, Courtney Morris of Boston, Mass., Colby Morris of Laredo, Texas, Tyler and Wesley Gwosdz both of Orange Grove.Pallbearers will be Colby Morris, Tyler Gwosdz, Wesley Gwosdz, Mark Graham of Houston, Texas, Mike Graham of Laredo, Texas and Martin Gwosdz of Orange Grove.Visitation will be held Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 P.M. at Holmgreen Mortuary Chapel in Alice, Texas. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 28, 2013, at 10:00 A.M. at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Orange Grove, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please make your donation to a charity of your choice.The family of James Gwosdz wishes to thank Girling Hospice of Corpus Christi and the Staff of TRISUN Care Center River Ridge for their compassionate and loving care that James received during the final weeks of his life.