James McCoy Tomlinson's Obituary
James McCoy Tomlinson, age 85, passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022, in Garland, Texas. He was born to L.G. Tomlinson and Thelma Lois Graham on Wednesday, December 2, 1936, in Dalals, Texas.
James was the oldest of four sons of LG and Thelma Lois Graham Tomlinson, He grew up in Oak Cliff. He graduated from Adamson High School in 1955. (He was one of the Star Football Players for the school). He then married Tommie Lou Gammon in 1956, and they had three daughters (Desiree, Deborah, and Rhonda). He was in the United States Navy and was stationed on the USS KEARSARGE CVA-33 FPO San Francisco, California. One of the places he went to was Japan and he liked it.
Then in 1968 he married Donna L. Edwards. This was a short less then 8 month marriage. James then married a third time to Cloie Marye Ruth West in 1973 they had a son (Jason). They were married 15 years.
Then he married for the fourth time to Ellen Locker Baker in 1989. They were married 33 years and lived in Carrollton and Garland. She gave him a Step-son Joseph Baker. Jimmy had 11 grand-children and 4 great-grand-children.
Jimmy had many names, He was a truck driver for ICX, Saia, and Yellow Freight. He was known as J.T. and his Handle on the CB radio was Bumble Bee.
Jimmy was a Mason, in two lodges a pass Master of the fate Lodge. He was member of the Hella Shrine in Garland. As a Shriner he did many wonderful things. He raised a lot of money for the Shriner Children Hospitals. He was a member of the Directors’ Staff and he was Colonel of the Motor Patrol with the shrine. He loved his Harley Davidson Ultra Classic and loved to ride with his fellow Shriners. He lost his right eye to cancer in 1994 and lost most of his sight in his left eye later and couldn’t ride anymore. He was also a member of the Scottish rite, and some others that I can’t think of the names. Please forgive me. As a member of the Directors Staff Jimmy would be at the State Fair of Texas to drive a float in the nightly Parade he loved doing this.
As you can tell from what little I have told you that Jimmy had a full life for his 85yrs, 10months, and 21 days. He was wonderful and loved deeply by so many. He was proceeded in death by his parents, his brother Joe, and his oldest daughter Desiree. I want to Thank Trinity Hospice, (Especially Mona and Julia) you were so special, you became family to me, I don’t know what I would have done with out you.
Cremation has been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery in Dallas, Texas
James is preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter Desiree.
James is survived by his wife Maxine Tomlinson, son Jason, stepson Joseph, daughters; Debbie and Rhonda, 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren
Funeral arrangements for James McCoy Tomlinson have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
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