James Earl Cadenhead, born September 6, 1938, passed peacefully in his home to be with the Lord on April 19, 2024, at 11:25 a.m.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Walter and Mollie (Gray) Cadenhead, as well as wife, Jessie Katherine (Kakie) Cadenhead. He is survived by his sister, Phyllis Jo Ayotte (Arlington, TX) and his three sons: Bart Cadenhead (Amarillo, TX), Jimmy Cadenhead with wife, Valerie, (De Leon, TX) and Bret Cadenhead with wife, Kathy (Lubbock, TX) and many beloved nieces and nephews.

James was blessed with ten grandchildren: Trae Cadenhead (Austin, TX), Tyson Cadenhead (Murfreesboro, TN), Katie Wallace (North Richland Hills, TX), Kayse White (Lubbock, TX), Tori Workman (Fate, TX), Kezi Salas (Wheeler, TX), Whitley Yi (Weatherford, TX) , Tristan Meier (Gahanna, OH), Kodie Cadenhead (Celina, TX) and Karly Cadenhead (Weatherford, TX). James was additionally blessed with seventeen great-grandchildren and three more on the way.

Born in Brownwood, TX, and raised in De Leon, TX, James spent his youth in Ft. Worth, TX, where he began 4th grade at Riverside Elementary School and graduated from Amon Carter High School in 1956. James briefly attended Arlington State College before entering the highway patrol school. With a starting salary of $300 a month, James served as a Texas Highway Patrolman for 10 years in Amarillo and later in Dalhart, TX.

One day on his patrol, James pulled over a young lady for road racing, not realizing he was ticketing his future wife. James later reflected on their dating experience: "On the second date as we were saying goodnight, I told Kakie I was going to marry her. I thought she was beautiful. She had a terrific personality and kept the conversation going."

James and Kakie were married in 1963 in Amarillo, TX, where they raised their boys until 1969, when they moved their family to Dalhart, TX.  At this point, James transitioned from his steady salary as a patrolman to the riskier income of a farmer. James loved farming. After 39 years of working the land in Dalhart with his brother-in-law, Jim Reynolds, James and Kakie retired in 2008. They continued living in Dalhart until Kakie passed in 2014 after 51 years of marriage.  For the past 8 years, James has enjoyed living on the old family farm in De Leon.

The family would like to thank Rebecca Payne, his faithful caregiver, and Kinder-Hearts Hospice of Brownwood for their wonderful care for James during his final months.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on April 23, 2024, at De Leon First Baptist Church with Brother Paul Winegeart officiating.

Graveside committal services were held Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery in Dalhart, Texas with Brother Kurtis Abla officiating.

Serving as pallbearers were Kodie Cadenhead, Trae Cadenhead, Tyson Cadenhead, Ricky Salas, Paul Wallace, Andy White, Brian Workman, Harry Yi, Jim Bob Reynolds, Jeff Reynolds, Early Reynolds, Larry Reynolds, Josh Reynolds, Brian McCoy, Zach Kenney, and Claudie Johnson.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to De Leon Ministerial Alliance (PO Box 290, De Leon, Texas 76444) in memory of James.