James Dallas "JD" Battles Sr.

Mr. James Dallas (JD) Battles, Sr., 85, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away on October 24, 2021. JD was born in Etowah County, Alabama on November 18, 1935. JD was preceded in death by his parents, George Washington (GW) and Nora Beatrice McCrickard Battles, siblings Charles, Nellie (Chambliss), Arthur, Eugene, Odell (Clark), Ruby (Steapleton) and Lester, all of Etowah County, Alabama.

JD actively and devotedly loved his family and leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Alice Faye Yancey Battles; two children, daughter, Bobbie (Lance) Robinson and son, James (Jimmy) Dallas Battles, Jr.; two granddaughters, Jennifer (Daniel) Walker and Ashley (Brett) Koger; six great-grandchildren, Dallas (Allayah), Daunte, Desirae Walker, Carson, Chloe, and Ella Kate Koger and one great-great-grandson, Raiden James Walker. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Jake. He always made time for extended family as well and leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and was known as my “church Dad, Alabama Dad, Other Dad” to many of his children and grandchildren’s friends.

JD grew up in Attalla, Alabama and graduated from Etowah High School. He attended UAH and was a lifelong learner.

JD and Faye moved their family to Huntsville, Alabama in 1961 where he worked for Independent Insurance. He joined Brown Engineering as a machinist and was part of the team that built the “moon buggy”. JD was an original employee at the Huntsville PPG Plant and worked as a Maintenance Machinist rising to Maintenance Supervisor before retiring after 29 years. While working full time, JD opened J&D Machine Shop manufacturing automotive boat trailer parts and producing Jim-Bob trailers, an early entry in the drive-on boat trailer market. He owned JD’s Machine and automotive machine shop. On the day he retired from PPG in 1998, he opened Machine Tech, a job shop, which remains active today.

JD was a Christian who grew stronger in his walk with Christ throughout life. He had two church families in Huntsville, Highlands Baptist Church during his families growing up days, joining Jackson Way Baptist Church in the early 2000s.

JD built and maintained strong relationships throughout his life and never stopped gathering friends who became like family, teaching his family to do the same. JD has nurtured many friendships going back 60 years or more and becoming generational. Caring for others was his strength. His wife, Faye, says “he could fix a broken heart faster than he could fix a flat tire”.

JD had many hobbies and interests. He played on softball teams, coached the PPG women’s softball team, he bowled in mixed leagues, men’s leagues and later beat his grands at Wii bowling. He liked to fish, camp, hike and play horseshoes and cornhole. He took up golf in his 50s and shot a hole-in-one JD enjoyed playing cards and board games and often played games with Faye after dinner. He became an avid reader in his 70s. JD enjoyed cooking for people. His strawberry-cherry-banana ice cream and pulled-pork BBQ are legendary. He loved his Auburn Tigers and like to talk about meeting and talking with Pat Dye in the stands at Coach Dye’s first A-Day game. He was a gardener and like landscaping. He was excited by Christmas and loved decorating his house to the extreme. He got a kick seeing eyes light up when they saw the lights.

JD was a man of faith, a caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He lived a life of ministry for his Lord, not by title or profession but by living the fruits of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatian 5: 22-23 KJV

A Visitation for JD will be held Wednesday, October 27, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Rd Ne, Huntsville, Alabama 35811, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 PM, with Pastor John Pond, Jackson Way Baptist Church officiating. Music by Casey and Barry Sanders with Carla Crawford, Pianist. Pallbearers are Daniel Walker, grandson-in-law, Brett Koger, grandson-in-law, Dallas Walker, great-grandson, Daunte Walker. great-grandson, David Golden, friend, Joe Robertson, friend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to JWBC Debt Reduction Fund or JWBC Missions Fund. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valhallafunerals.com for the Battles family.