James Earl (Jim) Mead, Jr.

James Earl (Jim) Mead, Jr., of Lake Kiowa, was called by his Lord to rest on that high mountain on March 29, 2022.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 5:30-7:00 P.M. at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.  Military honors will be rendered at 6:45 P.M. during the visitation. A celebration of life will be held at Lake Kiowa Lodge on Sunday, April 3, 2:00-4:00 P.M. Burial will be at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Friday, April 15, at 10:00 A.M.

Survivors include:  his loving wife of 39 years and 9 months Patricia Buchanan Mead; daughters Lisa Espe of Amarillo and Kristen (Todd) Schmidt of Irving; step-sons Ryan Wingate of Austin and Andrew (Jessica) Wingate of Chicago, Illinois; grandchildren Emily and Jackson Espe and their father, Todd; Mikela Howard, Isabella Wingate; twin step-grandchildren Alex and Josie Powell; sisters Peggy Gardner of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Marilyn Sherwood of Amarillo; the mother of his children, Terry Mead of Amarillo and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Mead was preceded in death by his parents, Opal Ritter Mead and James Earl Mead, Sr., and by his sister, Jane Mead Kressin.

Jim was born on January 27, 1945, in Amarillo, Texas. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1963.  He attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas graduating in1967 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.  After graduation, he was drafted into the US Army and deployed to Vietnam.  He was in B Company, 4th BN, 23rd Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.  Jim was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960, Vietnam Service Medal, Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device.  He was injured on September 11, 1968 in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam at the base of Nui Ba Den Mountain. His 100% combat related injuries never defined him.

After serving his country, Jim spent 22 years in the commercial banking industry serving as president of First National Bank and Tascosa National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.  He was involved in many community activities in Amarillo.  He and Patricia moved to the Dallas Metroplex in 1991.  In 1995, he entered the residential construction business operating a builders’ service company.  He was the managing partner of two custom home building companies in Fort Worth and Plano, Texas.  Jim retired in 2008 and moved to Lake Kiowa where he enjoyed playing golf and serving on various community committees.  He served on the Property Owners Association Board of Directors 2010-2013 holding the office of President for two years.  He again served on the Board 2015-2018.  One of his last accomplishments was as a founding director of the Indian Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Special thanks to Home Hospice of Gainesville; caregivers Janet and James Dorgbetor, Lalania Aguire, Lydia Kraft; Paul Dillard and the Lake Kiowa American Legion and Indian Creek Volunteer Fire Department as well as the tireless support from his beloved friends for the past 27 months.

Donations may be made in his honor to Home Hospice of Gainesville, Wounded Warriors or any other military organization or your choice.