He was born on August 16, 1933 in New Orleans to Helen and James Apken, and attended Jesuit School, graduating in 1952. In 1953, Jim moved to Dallas to attend SMU where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Master of Arts in Geography. He later opened his landscape business with his business partner Robert Johnson Jr.
Jim enjoyed being a member of the Native Plant Society of Dallas, National Audubon Society, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and a lifetime member of Native Prairie Association of Texas, to name a few. Jim enjoyed inviting friends to his place in Edgewood, TX and also traveling around the country. Jim retired from his landscape business in 2006. This allowed Jim to volunteer at the Dallas Arboretum, Perot Museum and St Thomas Aquinas St Vincent de Paul Society.
Jim will be remembered for his compassionate, generous and loving manner, his sense of humor, great cooking skills, and plant knowledge.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 am Thursday June 29, 2023 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6306 Kenwood, Dallas, TX and inurnment service will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Those planning an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, may wish to consider memorials to the SPCA of Dallas, 2400 Lone Star Dr, Dallas TX 75212; Dallas Scottish Rite for Children Hospital, 2222 Welborn St, Dallas, TX 75219; or to the charity of your choice.
