James William Menzies

James W. "Jim" Menzies. 76, of Menard, TX passed away and went to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ on October 1, 2014. He died from natural causes at Shannon Hospital in San Angelo, TX. Jim was born in Stephenville, Texas on April 17, 1938 to Alex and Marguerite Watson Menzies. Jim grew up in Menard playing high school football, showing livestock in 4H and working with his brothers on the family ranch. After graduating from Menard, Jim attended Texas Tech majoring in Animal Science. After college graduation, he married Joan Marie Kelly on August 6, 1960. Shortly thereafter the couple moved to Mississippi where Jim had a teaching assistant-ship in the Agriculture Department at Mississippi State University, and in 1962, he received his Masters Degree in Animal Physiology. While teaching at Mississippi State, Jim's livestock judging team took 1st place overall at the 1961 Mid-South Fair in Memphis, TN. After living in Mississippi for 2 years, Jim and Joan moved back to Texas to the Agriculture Experiment Station near Sonora, where Jim worked as a Research Scientist for 7 years, working on projects that included livestock feeding and nutrition, among others. Jim and Joan and their two young sons moved to Menard in 1969 where he ranched and established "Jim Menzies Liquid Feed" - which he was still running at the time of his death. Jim was a devoted father and family man who was always there for his family. He loved to spend time with his wife, sons, other family members and friends, going on adventures - Hunting and fishing with his sons in Texas and in the northern states, taking his family skiing, traveling to the Texas coast for fishing and sightseeing, floating down the Rio Grande with his sons, and flying to distant destinations. Throughout his life, Jim touched the lives of many through all his endeavors. As a pilot and lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, he owned several different airplanes, made many lasting friendships, and had many journeys and adventures as an aviator. He was always the most meticulous and well-prepared pilot, taking good care of his family and all who flew with him. Jim had a bond with the land, and as a rancher in Menard County, Jim was a good steward of the land as he managed the ranch and raised sheep, cattle and goats. He taught his sons to ride horses and to work the ranch. He also received recognition from the SCS for good grazing management. One tenet he lived by was to "ranch the land, not the stock". As a volunteer EMT in Menard, Jim helped transport, care for and save many people under adverse and emergency conditions. His compassionate and decisive manner served him, and those he helped very well. He always gave those he helped that extra something that mattered most. Jim taught Vo-Ag at Menard High School from 1985 to 1992. His ability, knowledge and strong, but genial manner was much appreciated by the students and faculty of Menard High. His colleagues and many of his students remained good friends with him throughout his life. Jim was a rugged individualist, and an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He built several muzzle-loading rifles himself, many of which contained wood harvested from large mesquite trees from Menard County. He participated in shooting sports all his life and taught his sons to hunt and to respect the land, never wasting the wildlife that was taken from it. An accomplished carpenter, plumber and electrician, Jim designed and built his own home in Menard in 1980. One Jim's most enjoyable endeavors and blessings in his later years, which he shared with his wife Joan and the rest of his family, was the joy and challenge of raising and training border collies. With patience and consistent work, Jim raised and trained some of the best working dogs in central Texas. Two of the dogs that he trained, Katy and Meg, went on to become state champions, and all his dogs were his lifelong friends, as well. Through all life's challenges, as well as the adversity he faced in later in life, Jim always had a warm smile and a hearty handshake for friends and strangers alike. His toughness and tenacity was always tempered with kindness, jovial good nature and a willingness to help others. He will be sorely missed. Jim was a lifelong Christian and member of the Menard First Baptist Church, a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also a life member of the EAA. If you wish to make donations, please make them to the Shiners' Children's Hospital system, or to the charity of your choice. Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Joan Kelly Menzies, his brother Carl Menzies, two sons Mark Menzies and Don Menzies and his wife Beth, all of Dallas, three grandchildren, Henry Menzies, Carson Menzies and Cameron Menzies, all of Dallas, niece Linda Crocker of Abilene and nephew Dr. Steve Menzies of Cleburne, also Maria Menzies of Dallas, and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Alex and Marguerite Menzies, his brother A.L. "Sonny" Menzies, and his grandson Cole Menzies.

James William Menzies

April 17, 1938 - October 1, 2014