James Alvin Feuerbacher

September 6, 1930 - May 25, 2008 The fish in Cedar Creek Lake can finally relax. James Alvin Feuerbacher, world-class fisherman and even better husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, has gone to be with the Lord. James, known as Jim to his many friends, Jimmy to the love of his life, Joyce, and Papa to his doting family, was born September 6, 1930 in Pleasant Grove, TX.He was the youngest of 10 children born to G.A. and Margaret Feuerbacher.Jim attended Pleasant Grove High School where he played football When he was a teenager, Jim went to visit family in Dallas who introduced him to Joyce, the prettiest girl he had ever seen. The group decided to play a friendly game of spin-the-bottle, which matched up Jim and Joyce. That kiss was the spark for 57 years of marital bliss. After high school, Jim went to work with one of his older brothers as a plumber. The job turned into a career and he eventually opened his own successful company, Jimco Plumbing. Jim and his company helped build some of the most impressive buildings in Dallas/Fort Worth. He enjoyed his work so much that he never retired and continued working until the final days of his life. Throughout his lifetime, Jim loved to go to the lake. He enjoyed being there alone with his wife sitting on the deck moments after sunrise, drinking a cup of coffee, listening to the birds and staring at the calmness of the water. Jim treasured being at his home at Possum Kingdom Lake surrounded by his family, friends and neighbors such as Bill Hardin and George Gates. At the lake, Jim enjoyed grilling up burgers, fishing with his son, watching the squirrels with his daughter, feeding deer out of his hand, swimming with his grandkids and taking everyone out for boat rides. Jim was also a gifted gardener, artist, and craftsman. His homes were filled with his creations -- furniture he designed and built, his paintings and drawings, and fresh vegetables from his gardens. He had a special talent for seeing something in his head and being able to build it with his hands. If he could imagine it, he could create it. One of Jim's greatest passions was supporting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all of their pursuits. He never missed a game or a recital. No matter when or where one of his kids were playing or performing, he would be sitting close to the action aiming a video camera right at them with a big smile on his face. On nights when his grandkids were sleeping over at his house, he would pull through the drive-thru of five different restaurants so that each of his grandkids could enjoy their favorite food for dinner. Jim shared his love of sports, especially baseball, with his family. He coached several of his son and grandsons' teams to championships. "See ball. Hit ball," he'd say, reducing the game to its simplest form and calming the nerves of a young slugger. As a coach, Jim provided a positive influence in the lives of countless boys and young men over six decades. Traveling with his wife, family and friends was another of Jim's favorite pursuits. Among his most cherished trips were cruises off the coasts of Alaska and California, a tour of the changing of the seasons in New England, a cruise of the Caribbean, a hunting trip to Minnesota, a train ride and white water rafting trip through Colorado and baseball excursions to Michigan and Florida. Jim's sense of humor and love of conversation quickly turned strangers into friends. He always looked forward to his reunions with the 1949 Pleasant Grove Bobcats and Kittens and cherished the relationships he and his wife had among that group. Of all his loves, Jim's family was his greatest passion and his most enduring legacy. He is survived by his angel, his wife Joyce Feuerbacher, his darling daughter Cindy McClendon and her husband Steve, devoted son Mark Feuerbacher and longtime girlfriend Glenda Nail, sister Billie Miller, grandchildren Kelly Way and her husband Brad, Michael McClendon and his wife Sundey, Kristy Hewgley and her husband Chad, Jamie McClendon and Kyle Feuerbacher, and great-grandchildren Ashlyn Way, Anderson James McClendon and Hayden McClendon and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Hope Funeral Home (500 E. Hwy 80, Sunnyvale, TX 75182). A service celebrating Jim's life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Eastridge Park Christian Church (2701 Town East Boulevard, Mesquite, TX 75150).