Buddy James

Buddy James, 92, of Whitney passed away Thursday, October 6, 2016, at Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Waxahachie. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 9, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Whitney with Pastor Rusty Penney officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Buddy was born December 27, 1923 in Burkburnett to Paul John and Velma Ada (Sessums) James. From 1943-1946, he served his country with the United States Marines in the Pacific Theater during WWII as an aircraft mechanic. He met the love of his life, Ada M. Campbell, at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene. They both transferred to Texas Christian University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. Buddy and Ada were united in marriage on June 2, 1948. The couple moved to Prairie Valley in 1956, where Buddy was a farmer and rancher for many years. During his lifetime, he built two airplanes and a helicopter by hand. A bible scholar, Buddy was a member of Prairie Valley Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and was a Sunday school teacher. An avid reader, he authored his own book entitled “Some Meditations of Days Gone By.”

Preceding him in death were his parents; his loving wife of 66 years, Ada James, in 2015; granddaughter, Amy DiLoreto; brother, Gene Dale James; and sister, Opal Ruth James.

Survivors include two children, Rebecca Lou Martinez and husband, Edward, of Waxahachie and John Paul James and wife, Ronda, of Prairie Valley; sister, Sara Ann Bowers of Prairie Valley; two grandchildren, Edward Andrew Martinez and wife, Dana, of Grand Prairie and Emily O. James of Prairie Valley; great-granddaughter, Isabella Rose Martinez of Grand Prairie; and many other loving relatives and friends.

Visitation

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM ,Sunday, October 9, 2016
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney
201 North Bosque Whitney, TX 76692

Funeral Service

3:00 PM ,Sunday, October 9, 2016
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney
201 North Bosque Whitney, TX 76692