James Bartley

Born James Arnold Bartley on November 12, 1934 and on April 28, 2017 he went to his heavenly home. He was born at home in Cleveland, Ohio to Carl Jackson and Elberta McClain Bartley. After graduating from Pharma High School he enlisted in the U S Navy and proudly served for 24 years. He was a structural mechanic and served with the Jolly Roger Squadron on the U S Independence. The Jolly Roger Squadron flag that flew on the Independence during the time he served on US Independence flew was flying in his room when he passed. While serving in the Navy he worked up through the ranks to become an Officer and by doing so he was a Mustang. He also took his college courses and received this degree while serving. He was in Vietnam twice and exposed to Agent Orange and as a result, he had Agent Orange Poisoning which caused health issues. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America. On February 10, 1984, he married Lavada S. Rumbaugh and the wild ride began. Riding motorcycles, joining and ministering with the Christian Motorcycle Club, going to Sturgis for bike week, traveling throughout the country on the motorcycle and buying a farm. They moved to Eagle Rock, Missouri to live on the farm and raised calves, rabbits, and a lot of vegetables. Jim opened the Eagle Rock Prop and Upholstery Shop where he became a great boat propeller repairman and an award-winning upholster. During that time he taught himself to play the Mountain Dulcimer and the Bowed Psalter. He and his best friend Joel Pridgen made one of his dulcimers. He felt the call to the ministry and became a Licensed Local Pastor for the United Methodist Church and pastored two churches in Missouri. Then due to health, he moved to South Texas where he became an Award Winning wood carver and was a member of the Coastal Bend Wood Carvers. He was a man who loved God, who was loving, compassionate, caring, sensitive and very talented. He loved his wife, his sons, granddaughter, grandsons, and great-grandson. He will be missed greatly by family and friends. He is survived by his wife Lavada Bartley, by previous marriage one son Kevin Andrew Bartley and wife Diane Christine Bartley, one granddaughter Danielle Kristine Bartley, one great grandson James Ray Bartley, two grandsons Charles Keith Bartley and James Dalton Bartley, three nieces and six nephews. He is proceeded in death by his parents Carl Jackson & Elberta Bartley, two sons James Kenneth Bartley and Keith Arnold Bartley. Memorial service will be held at the Texas Veterans Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Texas on July 6, 2017 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers his wishes were for donations be made to the Disable American Veterans Chapter 150, P O Box 7901, Corpus Christi, Texas 78467.