James Lester Southard went to be with the Lord, peacefully, on January 12th, 2015, in Princeton, TX. He was 67.
James was born on May 5, 1947, in McKinney, Texas, to his parents, Lester and Aleen Southard. They lived in Farmersville and he graduated from Farmersville High School in 1965. He received his Accounting degree from North Texas State University (UNT), in Denton. He was the husband of Deborah Coleman Southard and they shared 47 years together. James and Deborah lived in Farmersville, until 1980, when they moved to Princeton. James worked as an insurance salesman for Farmers. He was very active in his community and served many positions throughout his life there. From President of the Lion's Club, serving on the school board and being one of the founders of the Onion Festival, he always enjoyed giving back to the people around him.
James is survived by his wife Deborah of Princeton, daughters: Kelly Cook and her husband Randy of Farmersville; Holley Rice and her husband Tim Skelly of Waxhaw, NC, Kari Hargrave and her husband Craig of Caddo Mills, eight grandchildren: Brooke Jones, Raygan Cook, Tyler Rice, Thomas Skelly, Tatum Skelly, Tatum Rice, Karter Hargrave and Karson Hargrave, and one great-grandson: Caleb Jones. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from 6pm to 8pm, on Thursday, January 15th, at Charles W. Smith and Sons Funeral Home in Princeton, Texas. James' funeral will be at 2pm, on January 16th, at the First United Methodist Church in Farmersville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent in care of Princeton Lions Club to Citizens State Bank, in memory of James Southard.