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James (Jim) Houston Blalock left for Heaven on January 19, 2024. While it is always a blessing and comfort to know we will be reunited there, the years without him here, will be hard. James leaves behind his wife of 72 years and best friend, Anna Lee Blalock. Jim was born on April 3, 1930 in Maysville, Oklahoma and was one of eight children. Times were difficult and his brother and baby sister passed before he turned sixteen. Years later, Jim would provide them headstones. As a young boy he helped his family by working on the farm; he graduated from Maysville High School in 1948. After one blind date, Jim, one of the only boys who drove a car, fell in love with the cute little basketball player., Anna Lee Freeman. They married July 14th, in 1951. In a borrowed car, they traveled to Gainesville, Texas where they would only enjoy a few months as Jim enlisted in the Army in 1951. He sailed to Okinawa to serve our country. When he returned, he attended Oklahoma A & M where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the campus we know today as Oklahoma State University, (OSU). During this time, he would also become a father, a position he would call one of his best jobs ever. His working career would grow from working at Warren Petroleum to being a salesperson for American Cyanamid, based out of Oklahoma City. He later relocated the family to Denton as an agronomist. Eventually, his degree and knowledge with chemicals and how to grow crops would allow him to work for Texas A & M University Agriculture Extension, where he retired in 1995. Loving the farming life, Jim and Anna purchased ten acres in Pilot Point and built their dream home in 1997. He was very successful in his ventures: crops and cows. With this, he also developed a plan to help his grandchildren experience how to earn money and appreciate the value of working hard. The Blalock Melon Stand provided several years of training for the grandchildren. Jim was Daddy to three: Patti and her late husband Bob VonTour, Brian and his wife Angella Blalock, and Lee Anne and her husband Brian Watson. Granddad to Nathan married to Brittany, Natalie married to Taylor Davis, Kacie married to Hadieh Maatouk, Kyle Blalock married to Lori Blalock , Macie married to Michael Lopez, Morgan married to Skylar Burt, Matthew Watson and his girlfriend Brittany Chapin, and Tristan Bearden. He was known as Great Granddad to Micah, Maxten, and Mitchell Lopez, Charlotte, Beau, and Lincoln Blalock, Rami Blalock-Maatouk, Braeden Davis, and Beatrice Burt. Jim has rejoined his family in Heaven: daughter-in-law Gay Blalock, son-in-law, Bob VonTour, great grandson Gavin, and Gavin's mother, his granddaughter Mattea Watson. He leaves behind many who will miss his stories and his larger-than-life presence. The family appreciates all the calls, texts, prayers, and excellent care provided by Three Oaks nurses and caregivers Tammy, Claudia, Mini, Nicholas, Ann, and Jennifer. Jim led with honor, was always generous, lived a full and happy life, and knew the Lord. He would love for you to find a pew on any given Sunday and know the Lord too. In memory of Jim, give church a try. On-line condolences may be shared: www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice or: Meals on Wheels Denton County, Denton County MHMR Center, or The Warm Place, or The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Slay Memorial Funeral Center, 400 US-377, Aubrey, TX 76227. Services will be held, Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 2 PM, First Denton, 1100 Malone Street, Denton, TX 76201. Graveside services will be at Belew Cemetery, 9500 Belew Road, Pilot Point, TX 76227. Serving as pallbearers will be, Kyle Blalock, Matthew Watson, Nathan Jones, Michael Lopez, Taylor Davis and Skylar Burt. Services are under the direction of Terri Slay and Slay Memorial Funeral Center, Aubrey.

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Mr. James Houston Blalock

April 3, 1930 - January 19, 2024