James Roscoe Vineyard

James Roscoe "Jim" Vineyard died on September 21, 2026, in Richardson, Texas. Born on February 4, 1944, in Bay City, Michigan, Jim lived a life devoted to serving his family, his friends, his church, and his country.

After graduating from Muncie Central High School in 1962, Jim attended Ball State University in his hometown of Muncie, Indiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1968. While there, he joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity as a charter member and lettered twice on the varsity baseball team. Jim earned his Master of Arts at Webster University in 1977. He married (Ruth) Anne (née. Ruddick) in 1965 and was a happy and devoted husband for 61 years.

Jim started his professional career in the Air Force on active duty, a role that took him all over the country to Alabama, North Carolina, California, Arizona, and Texas, as well as overseas to Thailand for a one-year tour and Taiwan for a two-year tour. During his tour, Jim graduated from the FBI National Academy. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel after 32 years of active and reserve service. Once released from active duty, Jim and Anne moved to the Dallas area and settled in Garland, Texas, where they lived for over 40 years. He was employed by the Dallas Police Department for 27 years, working as a beat cop before being promoted to Detective in Crime Scene Investigation.

Once rooted in his civilian career, Jim devoted himself to the service of others. His primary place of service was at his spiritual home, Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Richardson, Texas, where he and Anne joined as members almost 50 years ago. He frequently stepped into leadership positions such as acolyte master and a member of the Dallas Assembly of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He coached Epiphany's men's softball team in the intra-Episcopal league, was frequently elected to serve as the parish's Diocesan delegate, and served on the parish vestry as Junior Warden.

Jim was a devoted father to Jane Marie (born 1970) and James David "JD" (born 1975), often spending quality time with them whether coaching the Orange Crush girls' softball team or serving as a Cub Scout troop master hosting weekly meetings in the Vineyard home. He worked overnight shifts as a police officer to ensure someone was always home if his children needed him. He always made time to spend afternoons with his grandson Austin Michael LaFlame (Born 2006), where they worked on hobbies and projects together.

Jim was a member of the Air Force Security Forces Association, the Reserve Officers' Association, and the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW). His favorite charity was Patriot PAWS Service Dogs, where he organized an annual golf tournament to help fund the training of service dogs for injured military veterans. He also helped award scholarships to high school graduates through the MOWW Youth Leadership Conferences. Jim kept his youthful spirit alive through his love of model trains as a member of North Texas NTRAK.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe Oden Vineyard and Anna Marie Vineyard (née. Brugger), his brother, William Peter "Pete" Vineyard, and his nephew, Seth Vineyard.

He is survived by his wife Anne, daughter Jane (LaFlame), and son JD; his grandson Austin; his brother John Harry "Jack" Vineyard and his wife Debbie (née Foote); his brother-in-law David Leonard Ruddick and his wife Marna Walter; his sister-in-law Linda Hurst Vineyard; his nieces Katherine Ruddick Matheson and Ellen Vineyard Kluce; his nephews Matthew Vineyard, Joshua Vineyard, and Benjamin Vineyard; and many grand nieces and nephews.

Jim was a blessing to everyone he met and always greeted every day with positivity and joy. We were blessed to have known him and will miss him dearly.