Our Brother -- James

James and Candy came to Life Park in 2004-5 and did a Passover celebration with our children.

Patriarch is a word that comes to mind when we think of James.  As the leader of his family clan, he and Candy have been Gigi and Pappy to Nine grands and five greats.  Through it all, creating a lineage of faith was important.  .  . securing their children in the Father. 

The tallit in this picture was a part of James' memorial. He would wear it on the Sabbath as he blessed his children and grands.  I'm told he would sing the Sabbath Prayer song from "Fiddler on the Roof" with it wrapped around his shoulders and point to the grandkids - reminding them to stay in the faith.  It was a mantle of protection, guidance, and blessing as it covered his family at the service and as the Blessing for the Children was recited.

James loved his grandbabies

James and Candy have guided their children and grands through seasons of growth to adulthood all under their guidance and protection that created a  "love-covering" over them.

These are our sweet memories of James --

James knew something about everything.  He was the kind you would never want to play Trivia with.  He read up on EVERYTHING!

James kept traditions with us -- every Thanksgiving James would make the best giblet gravy for our turkey!

James loved family and would always make the most of our times together.   When he would drive Papa Bell to South Texas to the family reunions -- he had a grand time and knew something about everyone there -- we always felt he knew the relatives better than we did. James was devoted to his children. Candy was his soulmate and as was described at his service they were united elders in their fellowship.

Our last family get-together in Tulsa, even though the trip was hard for him and his strength was compromised - he became a large part of our rival storytelling and kidding.   I remember how on Friday night when he joked with our Grands --Campbell was so taken with James kidding and stories. 

James was a warrior.  When James came to Tulsa in 2006 for cancer treatment -- he would go for treatments and then come home to rest and keep busy.  He sought health-giving treatments and worked the regimen faithfully for 16 years working at his job up until this past June.

Papa Bell loved to call on James for mealtime prayer as we would gather in Burkburnett

James would pray in ways that you knew you had all been blessed and spiritually cared for.  Bethany was thinking of James, the other day and remembered celebrating Terry's 70th birthday and asking James to pray. . . what a beautiful prayer that was

James loved the Gulf.  He made sure they got to Galveston every summer for 30 years.  Last summer we had a chance to join them for a few days and it was a special time to connect and catch up.

James and his Candace -- devoted to each other their bonds of love and trust were very song.  We got to travel to see them this past March when T & I were on break from teaching.

Marshall referred to James this past weekend as a PROPHET to those who lived in that area of Texas.  James touched many lives and leaves a gaping hole.  He will be sorely missed by our family.


James and Candy were well acquainted with the Torah and the teachings of the Old Testament:  I believe this verse best exemplifies their mission to their family.

“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”  Deut. 4:9

James entered his Heavenly home at midnight, October 17.