James Claude Bearden Sr.'s Obituary
James Claude Bearden, Sr, also known as J.C., Jay and Grandpa, longtime Plano, Tx resident and business man, passed into the waiting arms of his heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ on December 28, 2024. He passed at his home, peacefully in his sleep. He was a member of the church of Christ on McDermott Road in Plano, Tx.
As primarily told by Jay:
J.C. (as his family called him) was born on the cold, wet miserable winter’s night of December 27, 1932 at his paternal grandparent’s farm, William Claude (W.C./Willie) and Exar Penina Nalls Bearden, approximately 1-1/2 miles E/NE of Brashear, Tx, in rural Hopkins County, Tx. He was the second child, and boy, born to his parents, Edgar Lee Bearden, Sr and Zephie Josephine Alice Tully Bearden. Being the son of tenant farmers, he lived in several locations in Hopkins County until 1941, when his parents purchased the “homeplace”, about 4 miles south of Brashear, Tx.
He accepted Christ as his savior and was baptized as a teenager at the church of Christ in Brashear, Tx. Over the years, he has shared many fond memories regarding his maternal grandparents, James Marcus and Nora Ellen Smith Tully. Grandpa Tully was an itinerant preacher and it was often joked that all the men and boys took out their pocket watches when the closing prayer started, as it was usually longer than his sermon.
J.C. attended the Miller Grove schools, graduating Salutatorian in 1950. He remained at home, helping with the dairy farm and attending East Texas State College in Commerce, Tx until 1952, when he moved to Dallas, Tx to take a job with Texas Instruments. Around the holidays, in 1954 he discovered something more important than fame or fortune. He met, through mutual friends, the beautiful young lady, Maxine McPherson, who was to become his wife and soulmate for the next 68 years.
J.C. and Maxine established their home in Garland, Tx where he continued his employment with Texas Instruments in government electronics and subsequently the semi-conductor industries. In 1969, J.C. moved his family to the Houston suburb of Richmond, Tx, to complete his employment with TI, retiring after 22 years. Thereafter, he and Maxine moved to Plano, Tx in 1974, and a year later, he fulfilled his desire to combine his interest in being an entrepreneur and his love of cars, opening a retail business, Jay’s Discount Auto Supply. Jay was successful wherever he put his hand. He grew the business from one small store to three stores in the growing suburb of Plano, Tx, until they both retired in 2001.
In addition to a love of cars, Jay enjoyed many hobbies throughout his years, some of which included fishing and woodworking. He was an amazing woodworker, with his immediate family, especially his grandsons, enjoying many of his creations. He also enjoyed the culinary arts, both in preparing and partaking. One of his favorites was Hopkins County stew, which he perfected many times. He enjoyed a good dessert, especially if it contained chocolate and/or pecans, or if it was Maxine’s family famous lemon cake. His greatest priority in life was his family. Whatever their needs were, he was there for them.
Jay and Maxine were blessed with two wonderful children, who were the love of their lives. James Claude, Jr (Jim) and Tanya, who graced the family with one grandson each, James Claude Bearden, III, (Trey), and Travis Ray Kendrick. These two grandsons then enlarged the family with two great grandchildren, each. Nora Marie and Luke James Bearden and twins, Barrett Carter and Walker James Kendrick.
Jay was preceded in death by his wife Maxine McPherson Bearden, both his parents, Ed and Josie Bearden, his older brother, E.L. Bearden, Jr. (Junior), and sister-in-law, Ella Wayne Sandifer Bearden.
He is survived by his son James Claude Bearden, Jr (Jim) and wife Jeanne of Plano, Tx; daughter Tanya Renee Bearden-Turner and husband Bob of Plano; sister Carolyn Bearden George and brother-in-law Glen of Brashear, Tx; grandchildren, James Claude Bearden, III (Trey) and wife Aimee of New Braunfels, Tx; Travis Ray Kendrick and wife Emily of Godley, Tx and four great grandchildren, Nora Marie and Luke James Bearden of New Braunfels, Tx and Barrett Carter and Walker James Kendrick of Godley, Tx. He also left many nephews, nieces and cousins along with two great grand-dogs, Osa and Novia of Plano, Tx.
Jay requested no flowers, suggesting instead that donations be made to one of his favorite charities:
church of Christ on McDermott Road, Plano, Tx
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tx
St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN
Or the charity of your choice
The immediate family would also like to thank the following for their years of care, understanding of dad’s wishes and support: Multiple extended family and friends; Erika Winifred Diniz-Borkar, AGPCNP, Palliative Care; Dr Sam Woolbert; and Dr Scott Biedermann.
Memorial Services and Visitation to be held on:
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Visitation: 11:00 AM
Service: 12:00PM
church of Christ on McDermott Road
3600 McDermott Road
Plano, Tx 75025
Cremation and Internment services entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Dallas, Tx
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