James Blake Harrell

James (Jim) Blake Harrell, 62, passed way Monday, January 28, 2013 peacefully in his sleep at home after an illness for a number of months. He was born November 26, 1950 in Dallas to James Blake Harrell, Sr. and Louise Munger Harrell. He grew up in Dallas. He went to high school in Oklahoma, attended St. Gregory College in Shawnee, Oklahoma, El Centro in Dallas, after going home to help watch over his grandmother when his mother died. He graduated with a B.A. in philosophy from North Texas State University (NTSU) and a Masters in Counseling from NTSU in which he worked briefly.

He was an excellent finger-picking talking blues musician and played at various coffeehouses in college and after. He collected and restored ancient Volvos from the 60’s, loved to camp with his border collies, Russ and Shelby in the Arizona and Colorado Rockies. He greatly enjoyed crossword puzzles, politics, cooking, weather forecasts, mysteries and science fiction on tv and movies. At various times he was a volunteer counselor at his high school, college and with CONTACT in Dallas.

He loved to take photos with his dogs at a local lake, playing Frisbee with them every day. He was a computer software enthusiast and enjoyed reading technical manuals and giving good practical advice such as diagnosing car problems over the phone with friends and his sister, and he was always right! He was a good friend, a conceited advice-giver and financial advisor.

He had a unique talent for Jazz and Blues guitar, was a TV and movie expert, and excellent repairman and mechanic (he could fix anything!), a good photographer and a good amateur accountant. He was a very smart and funny man who will be greatly missed by his friends and his sister. He is survived by his sister, Sylvia Harrell Briskey, for whom he was a wonderful friend, counselor and companion. Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2013 at Ellis Chapel in Park Cities Baptist Church 3933 Northwest Highway (214-860-1500) with a reception to follow.

Dear Blake/Jim,

We miss you. You've been part of our lives forever!

We'll always remember you.

We'll always Love you!

Love,

Sylvia Harrell Briskey Steve Porter

George and Pat Robert and Abbey

Arthur and Ann Katherine and David

Guy and Tony Marian and Diane

Lee and Vanessa Norman Lee and Jan

Dear brother and friend,

I'll see you again!

Love, Sylvia