James "Jim" Vencill

Jim Vencill, often called Jimbo and Pops by those who loved him most, slipped away Monday, May 12, while waiting for his bride of 48 years to awaken so they could go to the gym for their MWF routine of walking the track and pumping a little iron. The previous day (Mother’s Day) Jimbo had delighted Gay with a Mother’s Day card declaring her his “Partner In Life”—and a bouquet of Texas yellow roses; spent a few hours (1) watching his precious granddaughter Harper knock the ball for a triple and catch a few fly balls at her softball tournament in Denison; (2) losing a few bucks at Choctaw, and (3) enjoying a Vencill family dinner later that evening.

Jim was a Texan through and through—born in Dallas in 1939.  He and his buddy Ronnie terrorized the streets of Dallas as young boys. Jim graduated from Crozier Tech in downtown Dallas in 1959.  He joined the Air National Guard back in the 60’s and served for 12 years as a proud American. He tried a few professions—selling insurance, selling brick, selling air conditioners, and finally discovered building and selling houses was what made him happiest. He started his own business under his name and was a custom home builder for 55 years---retired at age 84—having built at least 2,637 houses in and around Dallas. That is a made up number, as he never kept track.

During his lifetime he fished in Alaska, Canada, South America, USA, Mexico, Cuba.  He outlived more buddies than he could count. He hunted in South America, Africa and USA, traveled to 5 continents, made 38 trips to Europe, traveled to 47 states in the USA—and was about to see Yellowstone for the first time in August. Through the years, he owned and flew airplanes—sometimes upside down (aerobatics), had 3 or 4 cabin cruises, owned at least 2 Harleys, and garaged a 69 Chevy for several years and paid cash for everything—never enjoying a new toy until he had the money in his pocket to pay for it.

Jim was a bachelor for 37 years—never slowing down to let anyone catch him. He met Gay on a blind date in 1972 when she moved to Texas. They dated for 4 years before she hooked him and they were blessed with a son, Michael, in 1978. He told Gay from the day she told him he was going to be a Dad, that it was a boy and started calling him Bud before he ever showed up. Jimbo was a baseball coach and football coach for his son’s teams, and sometimes had to sell tires and run a small restaurant when the housing market made making a living difficult. Skiing became an annual family adventure from the time Michael was 4 years old. They skied Colorado, New Mexico, France, Austria, and Germany through the years and enjoyed great times with ski friends. When Michael was in his late teens, early twenties, Jim taught him his trade which has led to a great career for Mike where he has become a sought-after builder. Proud Jimbo!! He and Michael always enjoyed an annual bird hunt together. Jimbo kept Michael’s buddies entertained with his many stories.

Jim is survived by Gay who made sure he was packed and ready to make all those 38 trips to Europe. His greatest joys—Mike, his wife Brooke and their daughter Harper—who he lovingly called “Little One”. You could always hear him yelling at the ballpark, “Watch the ball Little One, get a hit”. He was so proud of her success in academics, athletics, and the theater. She stole his heart completely. Brook became the daughter he never had. Jimbo had a full life and died in his chair watching his hummingbirds stop by for breakfast the morning after Mother’s Day. Rest in peace Pops aka Jimbo.