James Kenneth Barksdale, 77 of Midlothian, TX, passed away on March 11, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer with his wife and sons at his bedside. James K. was born in Waxahachie on November 12, 1944 to Joseph Collier and Johnnie Crow Barksdale. James graduated from Midlothian High School in 1963.
James married his high school sweetheart Jean Bryant Barksdale on July 3, 1965. They made their home in Midlothian for 47 years until her untimely death on December 30, 2012.
James joined the Dallas Police Department on September 25, 1967 at the age of 22 and retired on April 24, 1996 at the age of 51. In 1984, James K. aka “Buckshot” received the DPD’s Police Shield Award for the serious gunshot wounds he sustained during a drug raid on May 3, 1973.
James was the proud father of two sons, Jay and Lance and “Grandpa” to his four grandchildren. James loved attending all the grandkids’ activities, traveling, golf and The New York Times crossword puzzles.
In 2015, James was set-up on blind date with Jan Houk Ray and had the good fortune of meeting the second love of his life. Jan’s longtime husband Rob had passed away in 2012. They were married on August 26, 2016. Together they traveled and played golf and pretty much stayed busy as James was always “sitting on go.”
James and Jan were members of the Midlothian Church of Christ.
James is survived by his loving wife of 5 ½ years, Jan; two sons: Jay and wife, Monique and Lance and wife Sarah; four grandchildren: Carly Barksdale Wallace and husband Tyler; Chase, Caroline and Davis Barksdale; brother Edward Ray Barksdale; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean Bryant Barksdale; his parents Joseph Collier and Johnnie Crow Barksdale; his brother Joseph Wayne Barksdale and sister Barbara Jane Barksdale.
A visitation will be held at Midlothian Funeral Home, 200 East Avenue E, Midlothian, Texas from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. The Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Midlothian Church of Christ, 1627 North Highway 67, Midlothian, Texas.