James Randall Walvoord

James Randall Walvoord died at Baylor Regional Medical Center inPlano, Texas on December 23, 2014 after a short illness at 69 years ofage. James was the son of John F. and Geraldine Walvoord a prominentfamily associated with Dallas Theological Seminary.

James was born in Ft. Worth, Texas in June 1945. At that time hisfather was pastor of the Rosen Heights Presbyterian church and hespent his early years as part of that church with his older brotherJohn Edward.

In 1950 the family moved to Dallas where his father was namedPresident of Dallas Theological Seminary. The family life in Dallasinvolved being part of the extended family of students and friendsassociated with the Seminary. During this time James attended ShadyBrook and public schools in Dallas. In the summers the family traveledwith their two sons to Bible Conferences across the U.S. and Canada.

James loved to sing and dance and laugh and was always quick with anoriginal rhyme or joke. He was kind, gentle, patient and accepting ofeveryone. Throughout his life James instantly made friends witheveryone he met. He was beloved by all. His gentle spirit and love oflively conversation led to many life-long friendships.
In 1957 at the age of 12 James moved to the Austin State School. Hespent three years in Austin. While at the school he met Mary LouZissa, who would become a life-long friend. They first met when Jamesasked her to dance at a social function at the school.

In 1960 the Denton State School opened in Denton and James moved toDenton where he was to spend fourteen years from 1960 to 1974. He wasactive in the choir, in drama, enjoyed trips with his friends andspent vacations in Dallas with his family. He had a vision for achapel at Denton State School and prayed that one would be built atthe school. He never forgot that the building of the chapel was ananswer to his prayers and he sang there often with the choir.

After leaving Denton State School James spent eight years at HappyHill Farm in Cleburne.

The place James loved the most was Marbridge Ranch in Manchaca, Texasnear Austin. In January 1988 James moved to the Ranch and lived therealmost 27 years. When he first came to Marbridge he prayed earnestlythat a chapel would be built at the Ranch. And again his prayers wereanswered. He sang often in the chapel and at churches in the area foralmost two decades. While at the Ranch he attended the Manchaca UnitedMethodist Church.

For most of his time at the Ranch James had a weekly Bible Study inhis room at the dorm and often hosted a “movie night” where he shareda move from his extensive library of videos. At Marbridge he wasreunited with Mary Lou after years of losing touch with each other.They considered finding each other a miracle. They enjoyed more thantwenty years as close friends at the Ranch until her death on February19, 2014.

James always had a strong personal faith in God and a security inGod’s eternal promise to him. This security was seen James through allkinds of adversity and struggles with his physical and mentaldisabilities. He overcame his disabilities with a deep capacity tolove and a genuine interest in others.

James is survived by his younger brother, Paul David and his olderbrother John Edward. He has a special place in his heart for John’sfamily including John’s wife Paula Anne, John’s daughters JeanneInsuaste, Currin King, Allison Reed and Shelbie Livingston, and thenext generation -Nick Mel, Mia Insuaste and John Ryan King. All of theextended family, the Ranch family, Manchaca Methodist Church, RedeemerBible Church in Dallas-all of us will miss him very much.

A graveside service will be held at 10 AM at Restland Cemetery, 13005Greenville Avenue, in the Garden of Devotion on Saturday, December 27for friends and family. A Memorial Service will be held at MarbridgeRanch in early January.

John Walvoord, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer