James Henry Labelle, '70
James Henry Labelle, '70, passed away on January 7, 2025, in Humble, Texas. Lifetime Member.
James H. LaBelle was born in Portland, Maine on June 21, 1952. Jim, as he was known to his family and friends, had a difficult family life, and when Jim was in his early teens, he went to live at Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. It was there he would begin to build his love for God, for life, and develop his servant’s heart. Jim graduated Boys Town, in 1970, and soon after joined the US Army.
In the Spring of 1972, while on leave and visiting Houston with a friend, Jim met the love of his life, Diane Garcia. After about only 2 months of dating, Jim and Diane knew they were perfect for each other and married on June 10,1972. Upon marrying Diane, not only did Jim gain a loving bride and lifelong companion, he became the de-facto son to the Garcia family. Diane’s parents and 4 sisters now had a son and brother, and Jim took to his new role well. Jim finally had a family of his own that he loved with all his heart, and as most brothers do, enjoyed teasing his new sisters over the years. He would often toss his sisters’ shoes into the pecan tree at their house, and would dunk their eye glasses in face cream. They in turn, would spray him with silly string.
Jim and Diane were blessed with two children, Diane Michelle and James. Jim’s Army career took his young family all over the world until 1991, when Jim retired from the service as a Staff Sergeant, assigned to the Military Police School. Upon returning to Houston Jim began his new career with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Jim started in the Detentions Bureau and then quickly became a Jail School Training Instructor. In June 1993, Jim graduated the University of Houston’s Basic Peace Officer Certification Course, Class 100, and fulfilled his dream of becoming a Deputy Sheriff. In 2000, Jim earned his Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Jim continued his law enforcement career, working in Training, Detentions and finally as the Law Enforcement Animal Education Training Coordinator, until 2018 when he retired.
In 2005, Jim was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and his battles with cancers began. Jim was given an initial prognosis of 2 to 5 years, but being the fighter that he was, put those estimates to shame. Jim underwent many treatments over the years and fought hard to beat all odds, surviving long past what doctors believed was possible. Cancer riddled his body in many forms, yet no matter how bad illness plagued him, Jim never gave up on his life, his family, or his faith in God. Throughout his ordeals, Jim’s faith and love never wavered.
If ever there was a man who followed the mantra of God, family, and country it was Jim LaBelle —he served and loved all three with all his heart. Jim’s wife, children and
grandchildren were the light of his life. He was a proud PawPaw to his three grandchildren Anthony, Austin and Ashley. Jim often recalled when he asked for permission to marry Diane, her dad had advised Jim to “treat your wife like your girlfriend for the rest of your life,” and from this advice Jim never wavered. Jim loved his “Honey Bunny,” Diane. When he worked downtown, he brought her flowers every Friday after work and would always surprise her with gifts. In the later years, as his health began to fail and he could no longer bring her flowers, he enjoyed sitting with Diane on the patio, sipping coffee and watching the birds, with the Cardinal being his favorite.
In the Spring of 1972, while on leave and visiting Houston with a friend, Jim met the love of his life, Diane Garcia. After about only 2 months of dating, Jim and Diane knew they were perfect for each other and married on June 10,1972. Upon marrying Diane, not only did Jim gain a loving bride and lifelong companion, he became the de-facto son to the Garcia family. Diane’s parents and 4 sisters now had a son and brother, and Jim took to his new role well. Jim finally had a family of his own that he loved with all his heart, and as most brothers do, enjoyed teasing his new sisters over the years. He would often toss his sisters’ shoes into the pecan tree at their house, and would dunk their eye glasses in face cream. They in turn, would spray him with silly string.
Jim and Diane were blessed with two children, Diane Michelle and James. Jim’s Army career took his young family all over the world until 1991, when Jim retired from the service as a Staff Sergeant, assigned to the Military Police School. Upon returning to Houston Jim began his new career with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Jim started in the Detentions Bureau and then quickly became a Jail School Training Instructor. In June 1993, Jim graduated the University of Houston’s Basic Peace Officer Certification Course, Class 100, and fulfilled his dream of becoming a Deputy Sheriff. In 2000, Jim earned his Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Jim continued his law enforcement career, working in Training, Detentions and finally as the Law Enforcement Animal Education Training Coordinator, until 2018 when he retired.
In 2005, Jim was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and his battles with cancers began. Jim was given an initial prognosis of 2 to 5 years, but being the fighter that he was, put those estimates to shame. Jim underwent many treatments over the years and fought hard to beat all odds, surviving long past what doctors believed was possible. Cancer riddled his body in many forms, yet no matter how bad illness plagued him, Jim never gave up on his life, his family, or his faith in God. Throughout his ordeals, Jim’s faith and love never wavered.
If ever there was a man who followed the mantra of God, family, and country it was Jim LaBelle —he served and loved all three with all his heart. Jim’s wife, children and
grandchildren were the light of his life. He was a proud PawPaw to his three grandchildren Anthony, Austin and Ashley. Jim often recalled when he asked for permission to marry Diane, her dad had advised Jim to “treat your wife like your girlfriend for the rest of your life,” and from this advice Jim never wavered. Jim loved his “Honey Bunny,” Diane. When he worked downtown, he brought her flowers every Friday after work and would always surprise her with gifts. In the later years, as his health began to fail and he could no longer bring her flowers, he enjoyed sitting with Diane on the patio, sipping coffee and watching the birds, with the Cardinal being his favorite.
On January 7, 2025, Jim was called home to Heaven. He was proceeded in death by his son, James LaBelle. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Diane Garcia LaBelle; daughter, Diane LaBelle Peterson and her husband, David Peterson; Grandchildren, Anthony LaBelle Alvarez, Austin Peterson and Ashley Peterson; his sister, Theresa LaBelle Roberson and her husband Glenn Roberson; and his sisters and brothers-in-love, Rachel Garcia; Elaine and Kelly Hallford; Sharon and Joe Acevedo; and Sandra and Ken Busi, nieces and nephews, Edmund Cortes, Raul Cortes, Kristen Mangus, Kelly Hallford, Allison Ansley and other extended family members.