James M. Spell Jr.

On September 1, 1930, Jim was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi to Alma and Jim Spell, Sr. He and an older sister, Helen, and younger brother, Tommy, were raised in Jackson, MS. There he attended Central HS where he met Pam Wheeler, who later became his wife of almost 60 years.

Jim was a West Point graduate of the Class of 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and served in Oklahoma, Georgia, and Germany where their first daughter, Melinda, was born. After completing Army service, Jim and Pam settled in Dallas where he went to graduate school and worked as an aerospace design engineer. It was there that their second daughter, Melissa, was born. Jim operated his own business in Dallas as a manufacturer’s representative in the industrial field. He sold his company and retired in 1995 to care for his aging parents in Jackson, as well as his sweet wife who battled cancer until her last days in 2011.

Jim and Pam were active members of Walnut Hill Methodist Church followed by Royal Lane Baptist and Wilshire Baptist. Besides church, Jim loved a variety of activities and was always interested in how things worked; therefore, he was referred to as “Mr. Fix-It”! He was also known for memorizing poems, jogging, hunting, fishing, along with skeet and trap shooting. He and Pam also enjoyed playing tennis with a special group of friends and was often seen on the tennis court every Saturday morning at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas.

Jim’s greatest joys were his daughters, Melinda and Melissa. He enjoyed spending quality time with them and was not only supportive of all their activities but was full of wisdom and guidance. Taking a genuine interest in his grandchildren’s lives, he consistently offered love and encouragement.

Jim was not a prideful man, but he was immensely proud of his family.

Forever grateful for the blessings in his life of friends and family, his positivity and courage will forever be admired and remembered even through dealing with many health issues.

After the death of his wife in 2011, Jim settled into an active life at Presbyterian Village North becoming a reporter for the newsletter, choir member, and active Board Member. While living in his retirement community, he met and wed Pam Davidson in 2018. They enjoyed seven years of unexpected marital bliss.

He is survived by his wife, Pam Davidson Spell, along with her three daughters: Holly Colasurdo (Rob), Christy James (Andy), and Beth Schultz (Brian) and their children: Jack and Nick; Peyton, Reid, and Olivia; and Emily and Ben.

He is also survived by his daughters, Melinda Spell Nelson (Britt) of Arlington, TX and Melissa Spell Terrell (Greg) of Houston, TX. Affectionally known as “GRANDPA” to his grandchildren, Rachel Nelson Ramos (Jorge), Erin Nelson (Sara) Zac Nelson, Matt Nelson (Ashley), Adam Nelson, Joey Nelson (Morgan), Laura Terrell Lalani (Kary), Leah Terrell Deegan (Joe), and Scott Terrell (Linda), he was also the proud great grandfather of 20 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

We will be forever grateful for the love and gentle care of Jim by Mimi and Gift from Cambridge Caregivers.

There will be a Memorial Service in celebration of Jim’s life on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Sparkman Hillcrest, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. A private family interment will be on the following Tuesday at the DFW National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to Wilshire Baptist Church (WilshireBC.org) or to Happy Hill Farm (HappyHillFarm.org).

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you may go.”

Joshua 1:9