James Merton Hazlewood's Obituary
HAZLEWOOD, JAMES MERTON was born in Austin, Texas on June 6, 1952 to James Neely Hazlewood and Jimmie Hazlewood Chris. He died on April 16, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his father and his former wife, Cecelia Merryman Hazlewood. Jim left Austin and moved to Dallas with his mother and stepfather, Harry Chris. He graduated from Richardson High School and proceeded to Texas Tech University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Degree. While in college he was active in Campus Ministries through Young Life and continued his devotion to God throughout his life. In his last years, he served as a Church Elder of the Narrow Trail Cowboy Church of Plano, Texas. Jim was active in Dallas and Real Estate being a licensed broker with the designation of Real Property Administrator (RPA) and Facilities Management Administrator (FMA). Jim was an Assistant Vice President, Corporate Real Estate Services of Bank of Texas. On the passing of his former wife, Jim became a single father raising two teenage daughters. He devoted his time to his two girl’s guidance and education. He attended every school event and activity. This continued throughout their college years. God, family, and friends were the most important things in Jim’s life. His stepfather called him his “Big Kid” not because he was the oldest, but because he had the happy and exuberant spirit of a youngster throughout his life. He loved the outdoors, an avid fisherman and hunter. He treasured his time on the hunting lease with his buddies, doing more visiting than hunting, and did some cooking. Jim loved spicy food, and you had to be careful in tasting his dishes, because he loved the habaneros and ghost peppers for seasoning! He was always the life of any gathering and his spirit will be missed, but remembered forever. He is survived by his fiance, Starr Scobee; his daughters, Abbey Hazlewood and fiance, Seth Morgan, Jenny Durham and her husband, Cory Durham; his parents, Jimmie Hazlewood Chris and Harry Chris. His brothers, William Hazlewood and Mark Chris, and his wife, Jill Chris; his sisters, Lisa Chris-Tietjen, her husband, Mark Tietjen and Mary Elizabeth Chris Schulz. Jim has two wonderful grandsons, 1 1 1/2 year old Bowen Alan Durham and 3 month old Brooks Austin Durham. They were the stars in his life. The family wishes to thank and acknowledge the untiring daily loving care provided by his fiance, Star Scobee, throughout this long ordeal. In addition, our thanks and gratitude to the Hospice Compassus and Comfort Keepers staff who helped to make Jim’s last days comfortable. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Narrow Trail Cowboy Church Building Fund or the Charity of your choice will be appreciated. Address for donations: 3000 Custer Road, Suite 270 #106, Plano, Texas 75075. Per his wishes his body will be cremated and his ashes will be buried in Whispering Waters Urn Garden A at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 9:30 AM at the Narrow Trail Cowboy Church at Love and War in Texas, 601 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas (Northeast corner of I75 and Plano Parkway). Per his wishes, Jim requested casual attire at his memorial.
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