James Richard Wilson, 78, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2015 in Dumas, TXJames was born in Pampa, Texas on October 21, 1936 to Lucille McNeill Shorty Wilson and Richard Whittier Wilson. Services were held at 2:00 pm on Monday, February 2, 2015 in the First Christian Church with Jeff Mize officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery in Dalhart under the care of Horizon Funeral Home. Jim attended grade school in Pampa until he and his parents moved to the Wilson family farm in 1947, 15 miles from Dalhart. He graduated from Dalhart High School and went to college at Oklahoma State University where he met Rose Marie Kubricht. Jim and Rose Marie were married on September 13, 1959. He served four years in the United States Army Airborne division in Baumholder, West Germany. Jim and his family moved to the farm in 1963 where they enjoyed country life until building a home and moving to Dalhart. He served on the XIT Telephone Board of Directors for over 40 yrs. Jim was very involved in many other community activities including: Dalhart School Board, Lions Club, XIT Rodeo and Reunion planning committees and the First Christian Church. Jim coached in Little Dribblers, a girls summer basketball program and loved every minute of coaching and encouraging many young girls. One of his favorite memories was in 1974 when the Dalhart girls team won the National Championship.Jim had a zest for life & never met a stranger. He had a gift of making everyone feel special including all animals.Jim was married to Rose Marie Wilson for 35 years before she preceded him in death on April 2, 1994. A childhood friend of Jims, Mary Ann Dickens, introduced Jim and Nita Jolene (Jo) Edwards Spalsbury. Jim and Jo were married on May 25, 1996 in Angel Fire, New Mexico. He and Jo had homes in Dalhart and Angel Fire which allowed them to enjoy spending time with friends and family in both locations. Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Richard and Lucille Wilson. He is survived by his wife of the home, Jo Wilson; son, Steven Richard Wilson and his wife, Shannon Wilson of Dalhart, and his daughter, Sherry Wilson Healey and her husband, Colton Healey of Ardmore, OK; three step sons, Eric Spalsbury and his wife, Wendy and stepgrandson, Zach of Albuquerque, NM; Erron Spalsbury and his wife, Toni and step grandchildren, Courtney and Ethan of Superior, CO. Matt Spalsbury of Albuquerque, NM. Jim had six granddaughters, three are from Dalhart: Shelby Wilson Campbell and her husband, Tyler, Kendall Wilson Waldrip and her husband, Clay, and Britt Wilson. Three granddaughters from Ardmore, Ok are Heather Healey, Alexa Healey, and Diana Healey; and two great-grandchildren, Fisher Waldrip and Caroline Campbell. A sister-in-law Mary Washburn; a nephew George Washburn and his wife Cheryl,and a great nephew Collin and Jos sisters and nieces and nephews, cousins- Helen Mitchell Benefiel and her husband Tom of Moore, OK; Dorothy Mitchell Smithson of Enid, OK. The family would like to thank the staff at Great Plains Nursing Home in Dumas, Texas who attended to James with love and care. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Stained Glass Project602 Denver, Dalhart, TX 79022or to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Condolences may be sent online at www.horizonfuneralhome.com