James Van Pelt

In 1943 the family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where in December the family welcomed an early christmas gift with the arrival of his sister Francis Kay (Patti). James was a very loving and protective big brother and they always shared a special bond that has lasted a lifetime. Around this time James discovered his life long love for baseball. During his junior year in high school he was scouted for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but chose to play his senior year and graduate from Wichita Falls High School in 1956.

After graduation he was employed by a company that specialized in oilfield equipment as a bookkeeper and warehouse manager. He continued to play baseball in overlapping leagues for years and started purchasing fast cars, his newest interest.

In 1965, he went on a blind date with Phyllisjean Ford and it was love at first sight for both. In January 1967 they were married at the Methodist church in Holliday, Texas, and moved to Ft. Worth their life long home, where James had established a new career at AMCOT. His position was inside sales manager and quickly became International Sales and Export Coordinator and Manager. This position required him to travel to foreign countries and was a frequent expert witness in traffic carrier hearings and served as vice-president in a traffic association club.

In 1970, he embarked on another hobby, GOLF! He somehow managed to balance work, travel and play in multiple golf tournaments every year. James participated in the 1983 Byron Nelson pro-am golf tournament, and finally reached his golf goal.

After his retirement from AMCOT in 1988, he returned to one of his first interests, cars and proper maintenance. He became a traveling manager for Chief and O’Reilly auto parts. But, his most satisfying position was working the counter in the stores and helping customers with their automotive needs.

James read his bible and quietly led a life of tolerance and was very proud of his family and their accomplishments and inherited work ethic.

The effect of his sweet and loving smile was like no other, it was an instant eagerness to reach out with everyone, which made you feel that you were the only person he could see and his eyes twinkled with a hint of promise.

James and Phyllisjean have been members of City Point United Methodist Church in North Richland Hills since 1974.

His survivors include:

Wife of 56 years, Phyllisjean Van Pelt

Sister, Patti Sylvester (Charles), of Dallas, Tx

Daughters, Stacey Van Pelt-Blaylock of Plano, Tx

Lauren Van Pelt-Anderton (Tracy) of North Richland Hills, Tx

Niece, Melissa Rachuig (Russell) of Rockwall, Tx

Grandchildren:

Misty Rountree

Grier Blaylock

Darby Blaylock-Toledo

Taylor Anderton

Lee Blaylock

Great Grandchildren: Caden Clingan and Lane Rountree

James is also leaving behind a very select, loving, and special members of his family, life long and recent friends.

A visitation will be held for James on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home Chapel, 1917 Archer City Hwy. Wichita Falls, TX 76302, followed by a Chapel Funeral Service at 2:00 PM, with a graveside to follow at Holliday Cemetery, 611 E. Olive St. Holliday, TX 76366.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com for the van Pelt family.