Page created by: Deb Cisney

We, the family of James Douglas Harrell, are left to honor our wonderful Father, Brother, and Grandfather. James was a good man and great husband and father; we are grateful that God put him in our lives! We will try to capture his essence for those who weren’t lucky enough to know him.

James’ story began 85 years ago in Big Springs, Texas when he was born to his late parents, Willie Douglas and Ruby Nora Harrell. He was number three of seven children and is survived by one sister, Betty “Sis” Faught.

James served two years in the Army and married Carolyn when he got out; they had two daughters, Brenda and Bernice. When that union went awry, he married Judy 56 years ago and became the “Dad he didn’t have to be” to her four kids, Debbie, Scott, Lesa, and Todd. He and Judy successfully blended their new family (before “blending families” was a thing) creating the Harrell version of the “Brady Bunch.”

Our “who’s who” roster is a bit long, so we’ll forgive you if you skip over it. By the Grace of God (and our parents), we “kids” became adults and made our own ways in this world. Brenda has served her community as a sought-after Hair Stylist for over 42 years and gave James four grandkids and two great-grandkids; Bernice (Dwayne) is a phenomenally successful Domestic Engineer who gave him two grandkids; Debbie (John) retired from the Army and became a Bookkeeper; she gave James five grandkids and six great-grandkids. Scott (Donna) served in the Army, as well, and then worked his way up to Senior Molder in a cast iron foundry and gave James two grandkids and two great-grandkids. Lesa spared him grandkids to keep the numbers even. Last (but most certainly not least!), Todd (Michelle) is a top-notch Auto Mechanic and gave him one grandson.

We remember James fondly (mostly!) like when he would wrestle with all six of us kids at once…and usually still won! We also remember:
-He was an excellent role model of what a father and husband should be. (What Mom wanted Mom got and Dad made dxxx sure of it!)
-He raised us to think for ourselves, be independent and accountable for our actions.
-A stranger was just a friend he hadn’t met yet.
-Serving as his “Helper” handing him tools and holding things as he worked on our bicycles, the car or one of his many projects (he was a “DIY’er” before that was cool).
-Many tetherball games…even though he had more important things to do.
-Mid-west winter snowball fights (He started it!) and snow forts.
-He drove us around our paper route when it was icy, so we didn’t have to walk.
-His “nerves of steel” (and insistency that we learn to drive properly) as he fearlessly (ok, he may have been a little fearful but he hid it well!) sat in the “A-Driver seat” as we (all six of us, armed with our newly minted Learner’s Permits and much enthusiasm) accumulated our required driving hours….day / night…in town / highway…sunshine / rain / sleet / snow!
-He made us prove that we could check our oil, change the tire and do other basic maintenance tasks before he took us to get our driver’s licenses. Then he patiently waited at the DMV for each of us six kids, and usually several of our friends, to complete our first driver’s license tests!
-Speaking of tires, he taught us to invest in our tires…one can never have too good of a tire on your vehicle.
-He loved traveling, camping, musicals, dogs, his family, and God!
-He was always there to lend a helping hand. So many examples of this, such as his volunteer work with Labor of Love and “the big ice storm.” In March 1978 central Illinois was hit with a major ice storm knocking the power out for a week. Dad was one of the few people in our small town that had a portable generator. He not only kept our house running but tirelessly made the rounds to our neighbors charging up their refrigerators and freezers. Much to Mom’s chagrin (she was the bookkeeper!) he refused to accept even a dime in payment from any of them…not even to reimburse him for the fuel for the generator!

We were often (unwilling) beneficiaries of many pearls of wisdom from Dad, such as:
-If you’re on time, you’re late.
-Trust what people do, not what they say.
-Be true to your word.
-Do it right the first time or don’t do it at all.
-Nobody pulled your string.
-Measure twice; cut once.
-You made your bed now you must lie in it.
-If he weren’t worried about a situation he would say “100 years from now it won’t matter anyway.”
-To his daughters he would say, “You don’t need a man to do it for you when you can do it yourself” and “make sure you marry someone who can either pay to get it done or knows how to do it themself.”

James entered everlasting life with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Athens, TX. James left six children, ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, his sister, several extended family members, and many friends behind to carry on his memory. We hope he’s enjoying reconnecting with his wife, parents, two brothers, four grandchildren and many other relatives and friends who completed their own journeys before him. We will not say “Good-Bye” but rather “Until we are together again.” We love you!!