passed away at St. Teresa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in El Paso, Texas at the age of 80 on June 30, 2019. Born October 22, 1938 in Maypearl, Ellis, Texas, he was the youngest son of John Thomas and Johnnie Mildred (Eaton) Boatright.
Jim grew up in the aftermath of the depression teaching him to rely on his mother and his only brother, Billy Bob, and not material possessions. His mother later remarried Earl Edward Jacobs giving Jim two half siblings, Carolyn Ann and John Alexander. Growing up in Dallas/Fort Worth, Jim eventually moved with his now military family to England. He returned to El Paso, Texas and attended Burges High School. Graduating in 1957, Jim served as a captain in the ROTC, co-captain of the varsity basketball team, and senior class president. He then attended Texas Western College in El Paso, Texas, where he earned his Bachelors of Arts in Speech in 1962 all the while teaching at the Ysleta school district and earning the honored title of “Men of Mines”. Jim went on to earn his Master of Arts in English from San Angelo State University.
At the age of 24, Jim married the love of his life, Jean Marie Larkin, on June 1st, 1962 at Temple Baptist Church in El Paso, Texas. Jim and Jean started their adventure by both choosing to be educators in El Paso. Eventually, they were blessed with a baby girl, Amy Elizabeth Boatright in April 1964 and a son, James David Boatright, in May 1966. Jim dedicated himself to family, teaching, coaching the Burges Speech team, and his all-time favorite hobby, team roping. In the 80s, Jim went on from teaching, and worked at Wheaton moving in sales, dispatch, and management before purchasing and becoming the owner of Empire Moving and Storage Company. In 1992, the El Paso Herald recognized Jim’s hard work by naming Empire a top business to watch. Throughout his career, Jim made family a priority and spent most of his time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Jim accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age 21 and actively participated in the First Baptist Church of El Paso. He strived to live the life the Lord saw fit and raised his children in his belief. Jim and his wife were soon called to help establish Vista Hills Baptist Church. As the teacher of the Business Men’s Sunday School class for over a decade, Jim spent his life learning, teaching, and acting as a faithful Christian man. Two crowning attributes of Jim were his work ethic and generosity. Throughout his life, Jim was found doing good and was always willing to mourn with those that were mourning, comfort those that needed comfort, and stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places. His faith was an anchor to him and his family. He wrote in a speech, “Our beliefs determine our character and our destiny.” Jim’s character serves as a testament of his love of the Lord and has determined his eternal destiny. Jim was the epitome of a Texas man- he was true to God and family; exhibited excellent horsemanship, manners, and kindness; and was a well-respected beacon of integrity, dependability, and charity.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents (John and Johnnie), his brother (Billy Bob), his wife (Jean), his daughter (Amy) and his granddaughter (Johnnie Marie). Jim is survived by his son- James David Boatright (Lisa Dawn) of El Paso, TX; five grandsons- Justin David Boatright (Megan Rachel) of Santa Fe, NM, Jacob Daniel Boatright of Coral Springs, FL, Joshua Darin Boatright of Washington DC, Jeremy Dylan Boatright of Ft. Stockton, TX, and Colton Jake Woodruff of Port Orchard, WA; a great-grandson- Noah James Boatright and many beloved extended family and friends.
A viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, July 12 from 6pm-8pm at Martin Funeral Home East (1460 George Dieter Dr, El Paso, TX).
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 13 at First Baptist Church (805 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX). A private family burial will follow where he will be laid to rest alongside his wife Jeanie.
The Boatright family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the many prayers, phone calls, and acts of kindness during this time of loss. They feel blessed to have had the privilege to call Jim Boatright father, “Papa”, and friend.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18