James "Jim" S. Atkinson

Jim was a Texan, through and through. He was born in Jacksboro, TX, on May 25, 1917. When he was 10 years old, his family moved to a ranch in Shamrock, Texas. Their belongings and a favorite cow were transported in a rented railroad car. Two horses pulled a covered wagon which his father had crafted, and the family traveled in an open Model T Ford Touring Car---in December! Jim, with his brother and sister attended local schools, kept busy with ranch chores, and enjoyed the activities of the small town. After Jim graduated from high school, he worked on the ranch for two more years. He decided that ranching was not the life for him. So when he saw his siblings get ready to return to college, he decided to go too! He went to Texas Tech the next day! He waited tables, washed dishes, and worked his way to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. In June, 1941, Jim became a $21.00 a month private in the service of his country. Most of the next four years were spend between Australia and Dutch New Guinea. He attended Officers Candidate School and graduated a 2nd Lieutenant. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in the field. He became aide-de’camp to the general in charge of the New Guinea campaign. Jim was very proud of his military service – especially for the Bronze Star he received for meritorious achievement with a military operation. For months in 1944, he performed reconnaissance duty in area of New Guinea still under Japanese control. Often under sniper fire, he scouted suitable locations for supply routes and military installations. His efforts were instrumental in the successful reoccupation of the area by the Allies. Ironically, one of his grandsons has been living in Brisbane Australia....a place that Jim once walked. Upon returning from war, Jim married Margaret Elizabeth Walsh. The young couple moved to the Oak Cliff area of Dallas to raise their family. They had two lovely daughters. He was hired by the Internal Revenue Service after he returned from the war. He worked in the Dallas office as a revenue agent until he retired after 30 years of service. For the last twelve years of Jim’s time with the IRS, Jim was supervisor of a large case group. They were assigned only returns of taxpayers having assets of $250 million and up. A short time before Jim was eligible for retirement, he and Margaret built a home in the small community of Ovilla, TX. Jim also built himself a workshop. He wanted to continue his lifelong love of creating beautiful things from wood. Among other things, he made chairs, jewelry boxes, lamps, candle holders, and larger pieces such as a hutch for storing quilts. He also did welding…he made wind chimes, railway spike longhorn steers, and horseshoe cowboys. He taught himself how to do stained glass. Once Margaret found a large piece of stained glass that was a perfect fit for their home. The cost was very high, so Jim decided to make the piece himself. A class at the local high school helped him get started. Most of his stained glass pieces contained a cross as a visual representation of his faith. Jim’s unique talents were evident throughout his home, and the homes of his family and friends….but he did not stop there. He donated many pieces for events at his church. Each new baby born into his church community received a small chair engraved with that baby’s name and date of birth. In 1987, Jim was nominated for ‘Citizen of the Year’ for Ovilla. The testimonials he received spoke of his willingness to help with civic projects, his dedication to the Ovilla United Methodist Church, his kindness to neighbors, and the love he demonstrated to his wife and children. In 2007, his church held a ‘Jim Atkinson Day’ to honor him for his love of God, of his wife and children of the church and of the community. After his wife’s death, Jim stayed in his home for awhile, but soon learned that he was not able to maintain the house and land, so he moved to the Waterford of Mesquite. He remained active in the activities at the Waterford-actually the champion WII bowler among his buddies. Jim passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2013. He is survived by his daughter & son in law: Patti & Jerry Malone; daughter & son in law: Betty Jane & David Rippa; grandchildren: Carrie Lovell, Kevin & wife Kelly Malone, Natalie & husband Graham Pocta, Tiffany Rippa and Payton Rippa; great grandchildren: Austin, Dalton, Jordan and Katie. He is also survived by a host of extended family and friends from the Ovilla community as well as the Waterford of Mesquite. As Jim always said, “Life is good”. The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. on Thursday-April 11, 2013 AT THE CHURCH prior to the Funeral Service which will begin at 2:00 P.M. at the Ovilla United Methodist Church, 1403 Red Oak Creek Rd., Ovilla, TX 75154 with Rev. Joel Robbins and Rev. Cal Hoffman, officiating. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow in Shiloh Cemetery, 7810 Shiloh Rd., Ovilla, TX 76065. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials or donations be made in Mr. Atkinson's name to the Ovilla United Methodist Church.