John Paul James

John Paul James, age 70, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 30, 2022 after a lengthy illness and hospitalization.  His life began on August 12, 1952 in Fort Worth, Texas when he was born to D.P. and Ada James, as their only son.
In 1958, the James family relocated to the Prairie Valley community of Whitney, Texas.  John started Whitney public school in First Grade, and graduated from there in 1971.  Following his graduation, John decided to attend Tarleton State University, majoring in Agriculture.  He ultimately completed a Master's degree.  It was there where he met Ronda Duke, whom he married in 1986.
John taught Penelope High School FFA for a year.  When he discovered that teaching was not his forte, he opted to try his hand at a variety of different occupations during his working years.  In 2012. John retired from Tymco in Waco, TX, and turned his efforts to ranching and gardening, utilizing the knowledge he gained while studying at Tarleton.
In 1994, John and Ronda welcomed a precious baby girl, Emily Opal James, their only child.  Emily was their true delight, and proved to be a great source of help to them when they needed her most.  Emily married Jeffrey Rew in 2019, and they reside in Prairie Valley also.  John was blessed and so proud when Emily earned her nursing degree and pursued a nursing career.
John was an avid outdoorsman.  He was also an animal lover who enjoyed all his pets during his lifetime.  He enjoyed his favorite TV show, " Young Sheldon", and watched it weekly. John also had his pilot's license and greatly enjoyed anything and everything related to airplanes. As a teenager, John accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and therefore sealed his place in his heavenly home.  No doubt he is reuniting with family and friends, and rejoicing in the privilege of worshipping the One who made it possible!
John was predeceased by both parents, D.P. and Ada James.

He is survived by his wife, Ronda James, his daughter Emily James along with her husband Jeffrey, and his older sister, Rebecca Martinez and her husband, Eddie Martinez, and many cousins.