James Wallace Bardwell Jr.'s Obituary
Hallsville – James Wallace Bardwell died peacefully at home after a long illness on January 9, 2017 at the age of 89. He was born on December 4, 1927 to James Wallace Sr. and Gladys Richardson Bardwell in Longview, Texas and attended Judson schools prior to his family moving to Mineola. He graduated from Mineola High School in the class of 1945, then spent a year in the United States Army. After getting an associate degree from Kilgore College, he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. In 1955, Mr. Bardwell received a B.A. degree from North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas) and got his Master’s Degree the next year.
He began his career as a classroom teacher in the Pine Tree ISD in 1956, later becoming the first Pine Tree High School counselor. He also served as Assistant Superintendent to Mart Hill. Afterwards, he served as the principal at Pine Tree High School for 10 years and Pine Tree Middle School for 2 years. After 33 years in the PTISD, he retired in July of 1989.
On March 30, 1956 in Fort Worth he married Eleanor “Ellie” Matthews Carter, who he met while both were students at North Texas. They had 2 children, Terry Wallace Bardwell of Lufkin and Tammye Lynn Riley of Aurora, CO.
Wallace was a lifetime member of Winterfield United Methodist Church and spent his retirement years with his wife Ellie on their ranch in Hallsville, where he enjoyed the country life and raising cattle.
He was preceded in death by his parents and twin sisters Joyce Bardwell Wilson and Royce Bardwell, who died at age 4.
Those left to cherish his memories are Ellie, his loving wife of 60 years; son Terry and daughter Tammye. His grandchildren are Kelsey Godfrey and husband, Ryan Godfrey of Colorado Springs, CO, Kathryn Riley of Aurora, CO and Patrick Riley of Aurora, CO; as well as twin great-granddaughters Zalie Godfrey and Rilee Godfrey. He is also survived by nephews Dennis Wilson and wife Connie, of Longview and Mark Wilson and wife Arlene, of Hallsville.
The family is especially grateful for the love and care shown by his cousin Danny Black and wife Jan of Longview, as well as the wonderful staff and caregivers at Visiting Angels, who cared for him over the past couple of years.
He will be remembered as a soft-spoken, kind-hearted and generous man who always had a smile on his face and loved his family, friends, church and country. He enjoyed playing dominoes and traveling to Branson, MO with his wife, sister and cousin Mamie Ruth. Mostly he loved sitting in his rocking chair on the porch of his home enjoying the peaceful surroundings of his beloved ranch.
Services for James Wallace Bardwell, Jr. will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 14 at Winterfield United Methodist Church, with Rev. Virginia Pevey officiating. A visitation will be held the hour prior to the service, with the burial immediately following at the Winterfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Winterfield UMC, 2616 Tryon Rd., Longview, TX, 75605.
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