James Bruce "Jim" Waterfield, III

Memorial service for James Bruce “Jim” Waterfield, III, 81, of Canadian, TX will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Lewis Holland, officiating and Rev. Danny Sanders, assisting. A private burial will be at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian, TX. Jim passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2015 in Canadian, TX. Jim was born on June 9, 1934, in Canadian, TX to the late Mr. James Bruce Waterfield Jr. and Mrs. Marjorie (Jones) Waterfield. He was a 1952 graduate of Canadian High School and went on to receive a degree in business from Oklahoma State University in 1956. He married Sandra (Sandy) Wilkinson on August 12, 1956. Jim was an active member of the First United Methodist Church all of his life. He served in almost every office of the local church, including Board Chairman, Finance Chairman, etc., and Sunday school teacher. He started a non-denominational Christian Men’s group which met bi-monthly for breakfast and worship. Jim was still serving on committees and teaching Sunday school. Beyond the local church, Jim has served as a delegate to General Conference three times, leading the delegation two times. He served as a member of the Liaison Committee for the Pacific Homes Lawsuit, on the Board of Global Ministries, a member of the Finance Committee and on the Conference Education and Cultivation Division Committee, he served on the Jurisdictional Council on Episcopacy, the District Council on Ministries, the Committee on District Superintendence and Chairman of the District Trustees. He also served as a member and Chairman of the Board of McMurry University, on the board of King’s Manor in Hereford and on the Board of the Methodist Home in Waco, TX. He served as Chairman of the NW Texas Conference Committee on Finance and Administration, and a member of the Texas Methodist Foundation. In the Community, Jim was a member and past president of Rotary, was a member and past president of the Canadian Independent School District School Board, member and past Chairman of the board of the Canadian Co-op, Advisory Board for Boy Scouts, advisory Board of the Canadian “Y”, a director on the Hemphill County Hospital Board, director of the Hemphill County Appraisal District, past recipient of the Outstanding Young Farmer Award, past recipient of the Man of the Year Award of Canadian in 1972. Jim has served on the board of The Citadelle Art Foundation, and was currently serving his 46th year as Director and Chairman of the board of InterBank and its predecessor First State Bank of Canadian. Jim has been a rancher and cattle feeder in Canadian since 1956. He worked in partnership with his brother, Dick Waterfield, for fifteen years. Separate from his own business, he later entered into a cattle-feeding partnership with F.H. McQuiddy in 1969. He has been in partnership with his son-in-law, Craig Young for 25 years, and now is in partnership with his son, Rick. He has served as president and board member for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. He has also served on committees of the National Cattlemen’s Association. He was part owner of the Pre-Feeders Feedlot in Hereford, TX, for many years, and Summerfield Investments, also located in Hereford. Jim loved to be at “The Dam”. He was so proud of it and all Craig and Cindy had done to make it beautiful and he loved fishing there. He loved playing golf especially with Ben Mathers. He loved going to Las Vegas, NV where he played Gin Rummy. He also loved to travel everywhere. But, most of all, he loved people, talking to them, hearing their stories. He never met a stranger and they were all always new friends. Yet, what he loved most was his family. He was so proud of each one of them. He was never happier than when he had them all around him and he always had a story to tell. Jim also loved his God, he walked with him all of his life and he served Him well. He gave whatever he had and he counted himself as one of the most blessed of all men. He was a blessing to everyone who knew him. There will never be another quite like him. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tracey Diane Waterfield Neilson and his brother, Richard Allen Waterfield. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (Sandy) Waterfield of Canadian, TX; his son, Rick Waterfield and wife Mary of Canadian, TX; his daughter, Cindy Young and husband Craig of Canadian, TX; 5 grandchildren, Jason Waterfield, Bryan Waterfield, Matt Young, David Young, Tracey Young and several other family members and lots of very dear friends. The family suggests memorials to the Hemphill County Hospital Foundation, 1020 South 4th St., Canadian, TX 79014.