James Tatum

Funeral services for James Tatum, age 64, of Whitehouse are scheduled for 10:30 A.M., on Friday, November 14, 2014, at First Baptist Church Owentown with Rev. Sherman Mayfield officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home. Burial will be in Bascom Cemetery.

James passed away on Monday, November 10, 2014, in Tyler.

He was born on May 25, 1950 in Longview, to the late Ray and Mildred Smith Tatum. James retired from Kellogg after 30 years. He surrendered to ministry in 1991. He served as park pastor at Tyler State Park for 6 years and as youth pastor at East Lake Baptist Church for 5 years. He was pastor at First Baptist Church Owentown from 2000 until time of his going home to be with the Lord. The most important thing he left behind is his legacy to serve, honor and glorify Jesus Christ our Lord.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 35 years, Martha Tatum; son, Rick Ward and his wife, Jennifer, of Albany, Georgia; daughter, Michele Bolton and her husband Barry, of Bullard; son, Jeff Tatum and his wife Cyndi, of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter, LeAnn Davidson and her husband, Steven of Whitehouse; brother, Art Tatum of Albuquerque, New Mexico; sister, Becky McMurry of Alba; 16 grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Rick Ward, Jeff Tatum, Steven Davidson, Jim Epperson, Robert Mahan and Art Tatum. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren; Barry Bolton, Glenn Glaze, Sam Davis, Harold Riley, and Craig Waldron.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Lloyd James Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideons International, c/o Kenneth Clasen, 238 Hideaway Lane East, Hideaway, Texas 75771 or First Baptist Church Owentown, 11752 Constantine Ave., Tyler, Texas 75708.