James Wesley Bodiford Sr.'s Obituary
On Sunday, August 30, 2020, James Wesley Bodiford, loving husband and father passed away at the age of 81. James was born on August 5, 1939 in Thornton, Texas to Albert and Dewey Bodiford. He graduated from W.W. Samuel High School in 1957. He was the owner of Bodiford’s Kwik Way corner store for almost 20 years. He went on to start another business, Bodiford Quality Tile. He also had many other entrepreneurial ventures. However, James’s real love was his birds. He raised and raced homing pigeons for over 60 years. He became very well known for the quality of his champion birds and was always eager to mentor others who wished to enter the “bird business.”
James married his high school sweetheart, Jan, on June 7, 1957 in Dallas, Texas. Together they built a life and finally settled in Sachse, Texas. They had their first child, James Wesley Bodiford II, “Wes” in 1962, and their daughter, Jill was born in 1968. James, known as Papa to his closest family was well known for his endless jokes. He never met a stranger; and all who knew him loved him. His laughter was contagious and he will be remembered for his laughter and slapping his knee when he was able trick someone into believing one of his “tall tales.”
James was preceded in death by his father, Albert and mother, Dewey. He is also preceded by his brother, Donnie and sister, Pruda, son, Wes, and brothers-in-law, Ron Baker, and Mike and Johnny Markham. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jan, his daughter, Jill Bodiford Brown of Sachse, Texas, three grandchildren, James Wesley Bodiford III, “Tray” and wife Lauren of Allen, Texas, Justin Brown of Wylie, Texas, and Wes Brown of Sachse, Texas, and two great-grandchildren Shayla Bodiford and Hailey Bodiford. He is also survived by his sister, Sandra Revels of Arkansas and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020 at Cornerstone Church in Allen, Texas at 2242 West Lucas Rd. Visitation will begin one hour before the service at the church. Internment will follow at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
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