James A Rozzell

Jim was born on July 24, 1931, in Oklahoma City, OK, to the late Frank and Helen (Moore) Rozzell. But don’t remind Jim about his Oklahoma roots – he bleeds Texas Longhorn orange through and through. He graduated from Raymondville High School in 1949 and attended the University of Texas, before enlisting in the Marine Corps and serving during the Korean War. Even in his old age, he would regale anyone who listened with stories of his military days and was proud to have served.

It was in Raymondville that he met and married Ona Lou Savage. Over the next 17 years, they gave birth to five girls (kept trying for that boy to no avail). Those daughters (Vicky, Kandee, Phyllis, Rhonda and Trisha) were his pride and joy until his last breath – telling anyone that would listen about their accomplishments and their lives. But that pride paled in comparison to the love he felt for his grandchildren (Jamie, Nathan, Kasey, Trent, Tristin, Ian, Devin and Whitney) and great-grandchildren. Whether it was attending every softball game he could or helping out with school performances, he could always be counted on for his opinion (whether asked for or not) and loud, booming voice of support.

Jim held many careers over the course of his life. After his military career ended, he went back to his accounting degree and worked at Friendly Chevrolet in downtown Dallas. From there he went to work for Pizza Inn in their Finance department, which quickly became a second career as a franchise owner of his own line of Pizza Inns around the Metroplex. This made him very popular with his daughters and their friends, especially on Friday nights after high school football games or Sunday nights after church. After retiring from the pizza biz, he worked at various part-time gigs including the accounting department for TNT Tire. He loved working and was always dedicated to whatever job he held at the time.

He is survived by his daughter, Vicky Rozzell Murry (Parker, TX); daughter Kandee Rozzell Justus (Fredericksburg, TX); Phyllis Rozzell Brower (Grand Prairie, TX); Rhonda Rozzell Newman (Fairview, TX) and partner, Lisa; and Trisha Rozzell Wilson (Kerrville, TX) and husband, David; 8 grandchildren and 12+ great-grandchildren; brother, Jean Rozzell; and brother, David Rozzell. He is also survived by several nieces and a nephew as well as a multitude of friends. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Rick Brower.

A memorial service will be held at Noon on Friday, November 3 at First Baptist Church, 950 Mayfield Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75052. Visitation will take place immediately after the service.

The family kindly directs donations in lieu of flowers to the First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie Serendipity Choir (of which Jim was a devoted member).