James Walker Todd, Ed. D.

Dr. James Walker Todd, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on April 13, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents Morris W. Todd and A. Ruth Todd, his brother Morris F. Todd, his sister Carrie L. Peer, and his maternal grandmother Maud Beatrice Holden, who, Jim always said, taught him almost everything in life he ever learned.

Jim is survived by his wife Faye L. Todd; children Elizabeth Culpepper (Timothy) and Jonathan Todd (Edward Welsh); grandchildren Benjamin, Madeleine, and Jack Culpepper and Valerie and Kadin Todd Welsh; and brother Duane A. Todd (Brandi).

Jim was born in San Antonio on August 16, 1948, and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1966. Jim received a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Education (1996) and Master of Arts in Educational Administration (1999) from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) and a Doctorate of Education from Texas A&M University in College Station (2006).

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Faye, on August 16, 1968, at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. That same year he was called to active duty to serve in the 433rd Military Airlift Wing when the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea. At the age of 20, he was one of the youngest loadmasters in the air force. During his service, Jim saw the world and made friendships that would last a lifetime. These experiences and relationships shaped him into the man he would become.

An entrepreneur at heart, Jim owned, and served as president of a custom picture and art frame company, Frame Tex, Inc. After a successful run as a business owner, Jim became a co-owner and operator of a group travel agency, Incredible Journeys in 1991. In 1996 Jim shifted into teaching. He taught what he knew best: marketing and entrepreneurship at MacArthur High School. Later he took on roles at the North East Independent School District’s Central Office and retired from NEISD in 2012. Finally, Jim served as the Director of Operations for the San Antonio area campuses of Wayland Baptist University. He was also an adjunct professor for the university.

Jim was a fifth-generation Master Mason, having achieved the rank of Scottish Rite 33rd-degree Inspector General Honorary. Jim served as Master of both Community Lodge #1201 and Cibolo Lodge #151 and was a member of Davy Crockett Lodge #1225. In 2000, he served as the District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas. Jim was passionate about Masonic and Shriner charitable work. He held many positions of leadership and service within York Rite Eye Foundations and Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals, including the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. For many years, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the South Texas Learning Center for Dyslexia in San Antonio. Jim was the first member of the San Antonio Alzafar Shriners to achieve the honor of Emeritus Member of the Hospital Corporation for Shriners Hospitals, and he was an Emeritus Member of the Board of Trustees for the Shriners Hospital for Children-Texas.

Jim directed three consecutive Shrine Circuses in the Joe and Harry Freeman Colosseum in San Antonio. He also enjoyed riding his three-wheeler in local parades (and giving Liz and Jon rides around the neighborhood when they were kids). Jim’s culminating moment came in 1990 when he served as Potentate (President) of San Antonio’s Alzafar Shriners at the age of 42. Additionally, he was a life member of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

Jim was an active member in the Southern Baptist Church beginning when he was a small boy at Dellview Baptist Church in San Antonio. At the age of 9, Jim and his older brother became the first and youngest custodial staff members of the First Southern Baptist Church of Pearl Harbor, where Jim’s father helped plant a church while stationed in Hawaii. Back in San Antonio, Jim later worshiped at Northeast Baptist Church, Shearer Hills Baptist Church, and finally, he and Faye found their spiritual home at the First Baptist Church of San Antonio for the past 35 years. There, Jim was an ordained deacon who served with a big heart. He was called upon to serve on countless committees and coordinated aspects of past capital campaigns. He was an ardent supporter of children and youth activities as his own children came of age at FBCSA. He was an active teacher and director of his Sunday school class, always taking time to support those who needed a lift.

On Friday, May 12, a Masonic graveside service at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery will take place at 10:45 a.m. followed by a celebration of Jim’s life at First Baptist Church of San Antonio’s Wilson Chapel at 1:30 p.m.

Those wishing to do so are encouraged to remember a charity of their choice or:

First Baptist Church of San Antonio Television Ministry

515 McCullough

San Antonio, TX 78215

The Scottish Rite Learning Center of South Texas

308 Ave. E

San Antonio, TX 78205

Alzafar Shrine (Hospital Transportation Fund)

901 N. Loop 1604

San Antonio, TX 78242

Shriners Hospital for Children-Texas

815 Market St.

Galveston, TX 77550

Wayland Baptist University-San Antonio

8300 Pat Booker Rd

Life Oak, TX 78233