Funeral services for Mr. James R. "Bud" Vardeman, 75, of Diboll, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2006, in the Gipson-Metcalf Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bobby Ryan officiating. Interment will follow in the Union Springs Cemetery in Nacogdoches County. The family received friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening at Gipson-Metcalf Funeral Home in Lufkin, Texas. Mr. Vardeman passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at Panola Care and Rehab Center in Carthage, Texas. Local arrangements are under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

Mr. Vardeman was born May 17, 1930, in Nacogdoches County, Texas, the son of the late Gladys E. (Hines) and Sol C. Vardeman. Mr. Vardeman had worked for 20 years as a Kiln Operator for Temple-Inland, retiring in 1992. He had been a resident of Diboll since 1970, and was of the Methodist faith.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Billie L. Vardeman of Diboll; son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Kathy Vardeman of Carthage; daughters and sons-in-law, Lillian and Bobby Ryan, Sheila and Mike Harrison, all of Diboll; seven grandchildren, Robin Vega, Kayla Vardeman, Brian Vardeman, Jason Ryan, Robert Ryan, Brandy Reppond and Desiree Conner; eleven great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Nichols of Irving, Ollie Pigg of Lufkin; brother, Bill Vardeman of Hudson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Mr. Vardeman was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Dilas Hutto.