James Lewis Brantley was born on August 20, 1940 in Honey Grove, TX and was brought home weighing 3.5 pounds in his father’s size 12 shoe box. James father was in the Army and his assignment took him to various places in Texas like Wink, Ozona, and Fort Worth and then to more distant places like North Carolina, California, Washington and even Japan. James graduated from Belton High School in 1958. It was there that he became famous for scoring the two final free throws in the 1958 AA state basketball championship in which Belton beat New London 58-56 in sudden death double overtime.
James went on to attend Texas Christian University and serve his country in the United State Navy. Ultimately, James became a teacher, coach, and principal and retired from Clarksville ISD in 1994. After a small break the real work started in 2003; James, Poppy, started taking care of his grandchildren. In his free time he read books and stayed active by walking on a treadmill. After moving back to Paris, you could usually find him having breakfast with the ladies at Denny’s almost every morning.
For the last year, James spent most of his time with the staff and residents of Spring Lake Assisted Living who were like a second family to him. The family sends gratitude to the staff at Spring Lake, Waterford Hospice, and Signature Home Health for their care and attention during a difficult time.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Alton Brantley and his son, Jimmy Lee Brantley. He is survived by his children; Barbie Rodriguez and husband, Miguel, Keitha Carlton and husband, Michael; grandchildren McKenzie, James and Joe; brother, Ed Brantley and sister, Sue Williamson and many cousins, nieces, and nephews that he truly loved.
Service will be Tuesday, February 16 at 10AM at Southside Baptist Church in Paris, TX. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in James’ memory to Southside Baptist Church at 790 Old Jefferson Road, Paris, TX 75460.
