James Robert Segars was the son of two public school teachers, and a high school football star in his hometown of La Marque,Texas, for which he received AP honors for his performance as a defensive lineman.

 

After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University, Jim Bob joined the Marines, and then served as a Marine reservist before transferring to the Navy Reserves. When he was not on reserve duty, he taught P.E., computer literacy and history in Plano.

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Lt Cdr Segars was a Radar Intercept Officer, or RIO -- a role made famous by the character Nick "Goose" Bradshaw in the movie Top Gun. (In fact, the 1986 original was Jim Bob's favorite movie, since he also flew on F14 fighter planes.)

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On December 23, 1992, during a training exercise over Comanche County with three fighter jets, Lt. Cdr. Segars' plane crashed. His last act of selfless sacrifice was to pull the ejection cord, rescuing his pilot who ejected safely.

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Lt Cdr Segars left behind his wife, Donna, and three children between the ages of 11-18.

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“Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one's life for one's friends.”

~ John 15:13

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