James Wilkins

James Wilkins passed from this earthly life on Jan 28, 2019 in Bastrop, Texas.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Dr. James D. Wilkins will be officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

James Wilkins was born on Dec 29, 1931 to Ollie and Oliver Wilkins. In 1950 he joined the Air Force and married his high school sweetheart, Patsy Leona Hobbs. They were stationed in Puerto Rico. He was honorably discharged when his father had a heart attack and James needed to work the family farm. He and Patsy had 4 children. Patsy passed away in 1982. James married Mary Lou Thomas in 1983 and he gained 3 stepsons through Mary. James became a loving caregiver to Mary before she passed away in 2014 after a long illness.
James was employed by El Paso Natural Gas most of his adult life and worked there until he retired.

He was an active church member, a deacon, and loved music, sometimes acting as music leader in his church. James loved the Lord and lived his life to instill that in his family. He also was an avid golfer and played whenever he was able.

In his later years, James was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease which progressed quickly until he became unable to care for himself. Even though he lost some mental ability, he continued to smile, sing, and read his Bible or listen to Pattie read it to him. When he passed, he was freed of his suffering and went on to be with the Lord and the family that had passed before him.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Ollie Wilkins; Brothers Wiley, Berry, and David; Sister Jo Ann; his first wife, Patsy; second wife, Mary; and grandson, Darrin Stark Jr.

He is survived by his 4 children: Betty Butler and husband, Bobby; James Wilkins and wife, Pam; Joyce Stark and husband, Darrin; and Pattie Moke and husband Monty, also by children of Mary: Lawrence Joe Thomas and wife, Marilyn; Danny Thomas and wife, Roena; Paul Thomas and wife, Jill. He is survived by 17 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. He is survived by one sibling, his sister, Jessie Holtzclaw.

The family of James wish to extend our sincere thanks to Silver Pines Nursing & Rehab and also to Serenity Hospice, both of Bastrop. The staff were wonderful, helpful, and most of all loved our dad!

James will be greatly missed by those who loved him, but he is with Jesus and that is our great comfort.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Odessa. To send family condolences please sign his guestbook at www.sunsetodessa.com.

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