James Lee Batson

A memorial service for James will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Gabriel Oaks Church of Christ, 408 W Morrow St, Georgetown, TX 78626.

The beautiful soul of James Lee Batson was born November 26, 1928 in Dawson County, Texas, to devoted parents, Leo and Hattie Lora Franklin. However, a great deal of Jim’s life was spent in Jarrell, Texas.

He was married 52 years to Doyla Lee Stroud. They had two daughters, Linda Marie Werchan (sons: Ralph Louis “Butch” Werchan, II and William Lee “Bill” Werchan) and Jamie Lee Bell (son: James Ira Wall) and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great-great-great grandchildren.

Jim had vast life interests and accomplishments that he lovingly passed down to his extended family. Those interests included flying, ranching, building, boating and creating beautiful landscapes to name a few. Never meeting a stranger, Jim enjoyed sharing his experiences with family and friends.

Jim was most proud of his service to our country and flew an F-86 Saber Jet in the Korean conflict in 1949-1950. With his love of flying, Jim was an avid life-long member of the civil air patrol.

After his service to his country, Jim attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, worked for RCA and Beckwith Engineering, then managed the family ranch in West Texas.

James was the eldest of the four Batson brothers, Glen and Gale, deceased, and is survived by Jerry.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Doyla Lee Stroud and daughter, Jamie Lee Bell.

He attended the Church of Christ preaching school in Kerrville and was a devout member and elder in the Church of Christ.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife, of 26 years, Sondra Kay Pennington Tucker, his daughter, Linda Marie, his grandsons and the numerous grandchildren, and wife, Kay’s sons and grandchildren.

Shores of Time by James Lee Batson

A bag of clay, a pail of water…..material for the Great Potter….

He cast a vessel fine and put it on…..the Shores of Time….

He placed in it a soul divine.

As I walked the Shores of Time,

a great treasure I did find.

A vessel ….similar to mine…..also with a soul divine.

More precious than diamonds, silver or gold

holding hands, we walked ..…the Shores of Time.

Over mountains tall and steep.

Over rivers wide and deep.

Cobbled hills and valleys fine

Still holding hands, we walked …..the Shores of Time.

Soon the vessel began to chip and crack,

The soul …..it went away…a better place to stay.

The vessel returned to dust to blow along….. the Shores of Time.

So if dust gets in your eye and makes you cry.

It may be someone from days gone by that held your hand and kissed your cheek as you walked …..the Shores of Time.

By: James Lee Batson

Born Dawson County Texas 11-26-1928

A poem, The Shores of Time, created at age 93 to his wife Kay on 10-18-2023