Jim Batson

Jim Edd Batson had a grand homecoming in heaven with his son, parents, brothers and sister, and many more friends and family on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Jim was born on May 29, 1936, in Madisonville, Texas and recently celebrated his 88th birthday. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Baker, on February 1, 1958 and they welcomed three children into their family, Kim, Sandy, and Wesley Jim.

Jim had an incredible work ethic that began at an early age working with his father. His longtime career in auto and tire work began at a service station in Madisonville. After marrying, Jim and Liz made their home in Bryan with Jim opening his first service station. In 1962, Jim answered the call to serve in the National Guard in response to the Cuban missile crisis. After his time of service, they re-established their home in Bryan and he once again opened another service station. He went on to own and operate several service stations in Bryan. Jim became a Texas Farm Bureau dealer selling automotive and agriculture tires to Brazos Valley farmers and ranchers for many years. Batson Tire was well known as the place to get an honest deal on your tires.

Jim enjoyed helping his children show animals at the livestock shows and teaching them to ride horses, two of his most favorite things. He also loved watching his oldest grandson Chris, restore his brother Nelson's antique FarmAll tractor. After retirement, Jim and Liz enjoyed traveling in their RV, often caravaning with friends. Jim and Liz served as faithful members of Central Church for at least sixty years.

Jim & Liz grieved the passing of their son, Wesley Jim Batson, in 2015. Also preceding him in death were his parents Glenn and Mittie Batson, his brothers, Nelson and Herman Batson, and his sister and brother-in-law Mary Jane Batson Crouch and Nathan Crouch.

Jim is survived by his bride of sixty-six years, Elizabeth (Liz). Also surviving him are his daughters Kim (Scott) Sutphen and Sandy (Anthony) Oehler, and daughter-in-law Kim Dean Batson. Jim loved being PawPaw to his grandchildren, Chris Walthall, Brandon (Kimmie) Walthall, Kelsea Oehler, Kaitlynn Batson (Dustin) Holub, Kyle (Brittany) Batson, Kaleb Batson, Stephen (Elyse) Sutphen and Sheldon Sutphen. He was blessed by great grandchildren Joshua, Jacob, and Jace Sutphen, Aiden Sutphen, Brantley and Koehn Holub, and his son’s namesake, Wesley Jim Batson. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Jo Beth Batson, Joyce Batson, brother-in-law Jesse (Jean) Baker and many nieces and nephews.

We are very grateful for the loving care provided to Jim by the staff at Sodalis Assisted Living, Accent Care Hospice and Comfort Keepers. Jim and his entire family were blessed by the way these men and women cared for him.

One of Jim’s delights in his senior years was serving as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at Christmas time. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Salvation Army Bryan/College Station, 2506 Cavitt Avenue, Bryan, Texas 77801. https://salvationarmybcs.org/

Jim was also passionate about the childrens’ ministry at Central Church serving in the 3 year olds department for many years. He requested donations be sent to Central Church Children’s Library, 1991 FM 158, College Station, Texas 77845.