James Wesley Straughn

Reverend James Wesley Straughn, known affectionately as Jim, passed away at home surrounded by family on April 09, 2024, in Bulverde, Texas. Born on March 14,1934, to Winnie Bodiford and Willie Straughn, Jim was a pillar of the church and family he so dearly loved.
Jim joined the Air Force in 1951 at the age of 17, allowing him to travel the world. He became an accomplished instructor and communications engineer before retiring in 1972, after 21.5 years of service, at the rank of E7 MSGT. He then went on to pursue a career in telecommunications, which was marked by his dedication to enhance the telecommunication infrastructure in Alaska. During his professional career he worked for RCA, Alascom, Pacific Telecom Inc., Anchorage Telephone Utility, and AT&T.
In 1954, Jim married his beloved wife, Shirley Parot, in Topeka Kansas. Together, while traveling the world, they raised seven children: Michael, Mitchell, Michaela, Mathew, Margaret Anderson, Mark, and Micah.
Jim became a Christian in 1949 at the age 15. While studying under Bishop Herman Curtis Stokes, he moved into a depth of understanding of the Word and Kingdom of God at an uncommon pace. Many men of God, from 1949 to date, had influenced his hunger to question, research and dig deep into the concepts and context of scriptural subjects. Rev. Straughn credits the Holy Spirit for his education of the Word, and development of his own unique presentation of God’s Word. He was the pastor of a church in Washington State for four and a half years and wherein it became clear to him that his pulpit ministry was teaching. In 2006, he authored the book “Who Do You Think You Are.”
One of Jim’s greatest passions was music, mostly playing the lead guitar, but also the harmonica, keyboards, and singing. During the 70’s, while living in Alaska, he played with the Alaskan Troubadours, sharing the gospel through music. They played at the Alaska State Fair and many different churches throughout the state. Beyond the Alaskan Troubadours, Jim continued to minister through music at churches all over the country.
After becoming a widower, Jim married his loving wife Barbara Brodeur in Bulverde, Texas, in 2009. This grew the family to eleven children, with the addition of four stepchildren: Jeffrey, Christopher, Rachael, and Kinikia.
Sadly, Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Winnie; three brothers, Willie, Joseph and Charles; his wife Shirley; two sons, Michael and Mitchell; and two grandchildren, JJ and Tabitha. His memory will be forever held in the hearts of his surviving family: his wife Barbara; his children, Michaela, Mathew, Margaret (Scott), Mark (Teri), and Micah (Andrea), stepchildren Jeffrey, Christopher (Shari), Rachael, and Kinikia (Constance); his sister Helen, his 29 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Jim will be laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors on April 17, 2024, at 9:30 am.
A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held on April 20, 2024, at 11:00 am at the All Saints Anglican Church, located at 11122 Link Dr, San Antonio, Texas. A reception will follow.
The family has designated Mark Straughn, Micah Straughn, Christopher Brodeur, Ariana Boney, Mitchell Straughn, and Mason Straughn as pallbearers to accompany Jim on his final journey.
James Wesley Straughn will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother, uncle, great uncle, great-great uncle, pastor, mentor and friend. His legacy will live on through the word of God and music.