James William Wardlaw

James William Wardlaw, 54 of Texarkana, Texas was born February 12, 1968 in Galveston, TX. He was a life-long resident of the Texarkana area. He passed away on December 22, 2022 after a brief illness. He was a Boy Scout and proudly earned his Eagle Scout. Jay graduated from Arkansas High School in 1986 and joined the US Navy where he was assigned to the USS Kamehameha. After completing his Navy service, he worked in food service management and ultimately took up a career as a long haul truck driver working for Wilson Logistics. He recently earned a master’s degree in Business Administration and minor in finance and had planned to pursue a new career in financial management.

Jay was a son, brother, father, and friend to everyone he met. He was survived by his wife Sandra Tyson Wardlaw of Texarkana TX; daughter Brittany Wardlaw of Wiley Texas; son Ethan Wardlaw of Texarkana, TX; Stepson Alex Tyson and wife Kristie of Ashdown; his parents Charles and Gayle Wardlaw of Raleigh, NC and his sister Janie Shankle and husband Bob of Raleigh, NC. He is survived by one granddaughter Sophia Wardlaw of Wiley, TX; four step-grandchildren James, Leah, Dahlia, and Allie Tyson of Ashdown; two nieces Lacey Cottingham of Durham, NC, Hannah Shankle of Raleigh, NC and one nephew Christopher Shankle and wife Tassie of Denver, Co.

Most important of Jay’s survivor’s is his best friend and brother-in-Christ Skipper Bell, and sister-in-Christ Tonya Bell who have been by his side for many years in joys and sorrows. Very special to Jay was also Paige Jameson whom he thought of as a second daughter and caregiver to his wife.

Family will receive friends from 5pm to 7pm Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at East Funeral Home-Downtown.

Funeral service will be 2pm Thursday, December 29, 2022 at East Memorial Chapel-Downtown with Rev. Scott Wall officiating. Burial will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery under the direction of East Funeral Home-Downtown.

Memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Online tributes can be posted at www.eastfuneralhomes.com.