It is with great sorrow and somber hearts that the Arabie family announces that Lloyd Jimmy Arabie, Sr., age 77, peacefully passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2017. 

Born in Crowley, Louisiana on December 15, 1939, Jimmy spent most of his life in Baytown, Texas, where he established and maintained a successful automotive and racing transmission repair business.  An Air Force veteran and a once avid fisherman, it was through his love of automotive mechanics and his fascination for competition where his true passion emerged: drag racing.  Jimmy was well-known throughout the NHRA community, owning and driving a variety of cars that cumulated into a 50+ year racing career, and accomplishing one glorious driving championship in 1981 that to this day, he cherished.  Whether it was Saturday night racing in Houston, Sunday racing in Porter, Texas, or burning up the racetrack at Royal Purple Raceway here in Baytown, Jimmy Arabie, Sr. always found his peace amongst the roaring of the engines, the smell of racing fuel being burned, the billowing of smoke filling the staging lanes from tires after a long burnout, and being surrounded by a cast of characters he simply called his friends, all sharing many of the same passions as he did.  The respect, passion for competition and speed, and the genuine comradery he was able to share with his friends within the racing community sparked a child-like joy that seemed to ignite a spirit in Jimmy that lasted until the very end.  When not participating in racing, you would often find Jimmy in his garage, surrounded by fellow racers and friends, either talking about the sport, laughing at each other’s mistakes, using “colorful” metaphors to describe a specific situation, race, or racer, but more importantly, enjoying life and all it has to offer.  Jimmy Arabie, Sr. and racing were synonymous with each other, and that is exactly how he wanted it.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mae Nell Arabie, mother and father Edwina and Edwin Arabie; sisters Olive Arabie Sanchez, Doris Derryberry, and Rose Parker, and grandson Cameron Arabie. 

He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Arabie Sturm and husband, Dwayne; son David Arabie and wife, Angela; and son Jimmy Arabie, Jr. and wife, Lee Ann.  He is also survived by his brothers, Dallas Arabie and Edwin Arabie, Jr. and sister Patty Norriss.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Misty Dray, Krystal Amaya, Angel, Aaron, Alexis, and Ava Arabie, and Chad, Christopher, and Cara Arabie; as well as several great grandchildren and a host of family and friends that will truly miss his contagious laughter and quick wit.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 19, 2017, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Crespo & Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services in Baytown, Texas.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 19, 2017, in the Chapel of Crespo and Jirrels, with longtime fiends Raymond Martin and Bobby Hunter as honored speakers.  Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Mausoleum at 12:00 p.m.  Honoring the family as pallbearers will be Jimmy Arabie, Jr., Christopher Arabie, David Arabie, Aaron Arabie, Chad Arabie, Dwayne Sturm, Mike Weaver, and Travis Salter.        

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crespo and Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services, 6123 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas. 281-839-0700

 Service Information