James Weldon “Jim” Batton, 79, of Mobeetie, TX went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 24, 2022 in Wheeler, TX. Services will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Cornerstone Church in Wheeler, TX. Burial will follow at 1:30 PM in Miami, TX. Amily visitation will be on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Robertson Funeral Directors in Wheeler, TX from 6:00PM until 7:00PM.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors in Wheeler, TX.
Jim was born on September 14, 1942 in Dallas, TX to the late Walter and Frankye Mason Batton. He was raised in LaMarque, TX and graduated from LaMarque High School in 1961. He has remained friends with so many of his classmates and football team over the years. He attended Tulsa University, where he played football. He also attended Oklahoma State University.
Jim married the love of his life, Kay Arrington, in Miami, TX on September 4, 1961. They celebrated 60 years of marriage last year, with many friends and 53 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He served Wheeler County for 17 years on the SCS Board. He was rancher of the year for Wheeler county, but was known by many for years of stock showing across the state of Texas with convoys of families singing on the CB.
Jim announced rodeos for 4-H and Tri-State across the Panhandle, with a flair for the music he played that kept things hopping. He was on the Mobeetie School Board for 12 years and could lead a Mobeetie cheer like no one else. He served on the Parkview Hospital Board for 15 years. He was very involved in the electric co-op business for 39 years and at his death was President of the Greenbelt Electric Co-op Board and had served on the Golden Spread Electric Board in Amarillo, TX, recently retiring after 12 years.
Jim was a Mason, having held every office in his local lodge many times and served as District Deputy. He was a member of the Kheva Temple and a charter member of the Lubbock Scottish Rite.
He was a member of Cornerstone Church in Wheeler, TX. He loved music of all kinds, but especially gospel music and he led singing and sang in the choir for many, many years. He sang for many weddings and other occasions and also enjoyed singing with his quartet friends. He also taught high school Sunday School classes and loved his students very much.
Jim considered his 10 years of Kairos Prison Ministry one of the most rewarding parts of his life and it was dear to his heart. During the 10 years, he worked 20 life-changing Walks, serving 40 or more residents of the Clements Unit each time. He accomplished so much in his life, while also completing Kay’s Honey-Do Lists.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Charles Don Batton; his in-laws, Mark and Betty Arrington; and his dear brother-in-law, Mark Alan Arrington.
Surviving members of his family include his wife, Kay Batton of Mobeetie, TX; son, Stephen Batton and wife Tammy of Spearman, TX; daughters, Shannon Morgette and husband Bill of Andrews, TX and Jamee Hamilton and husband Mark of Sand Springs, OK; his wonderful grandchildren, Bryan Morgette (Andrea), Nicole Boyles (Rob), Jeremy Gudgel (Katie), Audra Gudgel, Richard Gudgel (Lauren), Jimmy Morgettte, Robert Morgette (Katie), Ashley Phifer (Keith), Bethany Toon (Michael), Tate Batton (Janneth) and Lexi McAnally (Casey); and a legacy of 23 great-grandchildren, Allison, Boston, Tucker, Julia, James, Emma, Hannah, Henry, Mason, Amelia, Eloise, Wendy, Rose, Nate, Colin, Hudson, Gideon, Luka, Ethan, Titus, Kyson, Brighton, Bexley and one coming in October.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Mobeetie Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 50, Mobeetie, TX 79061.
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