James Cline

James Elder “Jimmy” Cline was born November 3, 1941, in San Angelo, Texas, to Claude and Delia Mullane Cline. San Angelo was home to Jimmy throughout his life—the place where he grew up, attended Central High School as a member of the first graduating class, raised a family, built a lifetime of memories, and became the man so many people knew and loved.

Jimmy proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1961 to 1964, receiving an honorable discharge at the completion of his service. His years in the Army were an important part of his story, but service to others did not end when he took off his uniform. In many ways, giving, helping, and simply showing up for people became part of the way Jimmy lived his entire life.

After his time in the Army, he still worked to serve others. He worked for 11 years as a loan officer for Southwestern Investments and 17 years as a salesman for Frito Lay.

Those who knew Jimmy knew there was something special about him. He was considerate and patient, with a sense of humor that could make you laugh when you least expected it. He didn't have to be the loudest person in the room to make his presence known. There was comfort in simply knowing Jimmy was there.

He enjoyed the things that made life fun—golf, crossword puzzles, horse racing, and football. But nothing compared to his family.

Jimmy married Marybeth Carriker, with whom he was blessed with his daughter, Tonya. Becoming a father, and eventually a grandfather, gave Jimmy some of the greatest joys of his life. Jimmy was the kind of father and grandfather who showed up.

Practices, games, activities—if one of his grandkids was involved, there was a good chance Jimmy wanted to be there. It wasn't about whether they won or lost or how important the event might have seemed to anyone else. It was important because they were important to him.

Those ordinary days sitting in the stands or in his chair, watching practices, cheering from the sidelines, talking, laughing, and simply being together became extraordinary memories. At the time, they may have seemed like just another game, another afternoon or another weekend. Today, they are the moments his family will hold onto the tightest.

He is survived by his brother; Ronny Cline and wife Erlinda; his sister, Mary Christian and husband Donald; his daughter, Tonya Heath and husband Ezra; a stray along with way Kenneth Allen and his beloved grandchildren, Dee Garcia, Alontae Heath, Kameron Heath, Kenley Heath, Alexis Allen, and Cayden Allen and his nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Delia Cline; his brothers Claude “Dipsy” Cline, Jr. and David Michael Cline.

Jimmy's faith was also part of the foundation of his life. He was Catholic and was connected through the years to Sacred Heart Cathedral and Holy Angels Catholic Church. He understood that faith wasn't only something you talked about, it was something you lived.

And Jimmy lived it through generosity. He believed that when you were able to help someone, you should. He gave faithfully to causes close to his heart, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, American Indian educational programs, Meals for the Elderly, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the local food bank. He didn't give because he wanted recognition. He gave because somewhere there was a child, a family, an elderly person, or someone simply going through a difficult time who needed a little help.

That was Jimmy. He cared. He showed up. He gave. He made people laugh. He loved his family and if you simply knew him, he loved you too.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ezra, Dee, Alontae, Kenneth, Kameron and Kenley a final opportunity for some of the people he loved so dearly to carry and honor the man who spent so many years supporting and carrying them through life.

There are people whose absence changes the feeling of a room. Jimmy will be one of those people. His family will miss his humor. They will miss the conversations, the familiar stories, and the things he said that could make them laugh. They will miss seeing him at the games and practices. They will miss knowing he was there. And they will undoubtedly find themselves, in the days and years ahead, wishing for just one more conversation, one more laugh, one more game with Jimmy sitting nearby.

But what a gift it is to have been loved by someone whose absence can be felt so deeply.

Jimmy's life wasn't measured by possessions or accomplishments written on paper. It was measured in people. In family. In laughter. In generosity. In the grandchildren who looked into the stands and saw him there. In the people he quietly helped without ever meeting them. In the memories that will be told around family tables for generations to come.

James Elder “Jimmy” Cline lived a long life, but for the people who loved him, no amount of time would ever have been enough.

And while his seat may now be empty and his familiar presence deeply missed, the love he gave this family did not leave with him. It remains in every story they tell, every laugh they remember, every game where they wish they could look over and see him sitting there, and every act of kindness they offer someone else because Jimmy taught them, by the way he lived, that showing up and caring for people matters.

That is Jimmy's legacy. And that kind of love doesn't end. We find comfort in knowing that Jimmy has entered the most beautiful place he has every seen and we know that because he told us so. A place so amazing, a place we don’t die, a place we just keep going and keep on living.

Visitation is scheduled for 6:00pm until 8:00pm Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Johnson's Funeral Home. Funeral service is 2:00pm Monday, September 21, 2026 at Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Johnson's Lawnhaven memorial Gardens.