James "Ba" Peter Venardos

James was a strong and joyful presence in every life he touched. He was loyal and kind, with a generous spirit. He was a gentle giant with a wide, handsome smile that illuminated the many special moments throughout his life. He had an infectious sense of humor, always trying to see the lighter side of things and make people laugh.

James was raised in Fort Hood/Killeen/Copperas Cove, Texas. He loved his mother, Kacey Drollinger, his father Peter Venardos and Peter’s fiancé Tammie Mahon, his two older sisters Jessica and Kristina, his older brother Michael, and his extended circle of relatives and friends.

It was obvious to everyone who knew James that he was an extraordinary person.

James attended Copperas Cove High School, leaving there in the fall of 2017. He completed his GED shortly after.

With grit and perseverance, James excelled in football, soccer, wrestling and power-lifting. Especially in football, where he primarily played defensive tackle, he was a model teammate and had a huge impact in the games he played, particularly upon members of the opposing team. This can-do attitude was also evident in all other areas of his life.

James recently graduated from Central Texas College Police Academy, the starting point of fulfilling a lifelong dream to be a police officer.

Until his final day, James was a son, a brother, an uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin and good friend to many.

James is survived by his mother, Kacey, his father Peter and Peter’s fiancé Tammie, his sisters Jessica and Kristina, brother Michael, grandparents Mick, Tina and Patricia, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. His death was preceded by the passing of his much-loved grandfather Argol and his uncle Emmanuel.

A visitation for James will be held on Friday, July 29, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 211 West Ave B, Copperas Cove, Texas.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate James's life at a memorial service on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 211 West Ave B, Copperas Cove, Texas.

Interment at Copperas Cove City Cemetery, 415 E Avenue A, Copperas Cove, Texas will immediately follow the memorial service.

A reception in honor of James at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 211 West Ave B, Copperas Cove, Texas will immediately follow the interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made to one or more of the following organizations in James’s name:

1. Serve Outdoors Texas Hill Country (https://www.txhcserveoutdoors.org/),

2. Staurolite Foundation (https://staurolitefoundation.com/)

3. 10-7 Outdoors (http://www.10-7outdoors.com/)

4. Wounded Warriors Family Support (https://www.wwfs.org/)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerscopperascove.com for the Venardos family.