James Hughbanks

James Ruskin Hughbanks was born in Crisfield, Harper County, Kansas, on July 10, 1936, and passed away in Denton, Texas, on July 7, 2023, exiting this life to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for eternity.

Jim exemplified the hard-working, humble, patriotic American success story.  Born into a family of 11 children, Jim left the Kansas farm in 1954 after graduating from Hazelton high school to attend college, where he would meet and marry his college sweetheart, Donna Mae Denton. He served over two decades in the U.S. Air Force, and with his wife of 64 years, Jim raised four children, pursued a successful post-military career, served his church, savored his time with his grandchildren, and remained committed to the Lord all his days.

Jim graduated from Kansas State College in January 1959, working summers at Lassen National Park. He entered the U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1980. As part of his military service, Jim flew 6500 hours and 105 combat missions, with 450 combat hours. He also served as the navigator on the C-130 that flew ahead of President Nixon on his around-the-world diplomacy tour, providing key logistical and security support to the President's diplomatic efforts.

He received numerous military honors including the Air Force Commendation Medal, 1967; Air Medal, 1971; Meritorious Service Medal, 1974; and the Distinguished Flying Cross/OLC, 1972. Also, Jim was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Combat Readiness Medal.

After his military career, Jim moved his family one more time to Denton, Texas, where he served at Hulcher Services for well over a decade, ending in 1999, dispatching repair equipment to handle train derailments nationwide.

Jim loved Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He and Donna faithfully attended church wherever Dad was stationed, and they were early attendees of Denton Bible Church, from the fall of 1983 to the present.  He served in Denton Bible's jail ministry, the audio tape ministry, and faithfully attended the Wednesday morning men's Bible study for many years.

Jim loved sports and the outdoors all his life and passed on that love for God's creation to his children and grandchildren. He excelled at many athletic endeavors, from amateur play with his siblings on the farm to accumulating a box full of ribbons in high school track. One of his favorite memories was advancing to compete in Pole Vault at the high school state level. After the military, Jim enjoyed years as a talented racquetball player in Denton and continued to stay quite fit in his later years as an avid walker.  Even into his early eighties, he enjoyed daily 2-mile walks and playing games of soccer, football, and basketball with his grandchildren.  We could always count on Grandpa Jim for a trip to the park.

Jim applied his farming knowledge to cultivate an excellent yard and backyard garden in many states.  Nothing delighted him more than working in the yard, producing lettuce, homegrown tomatoes, squash, or bell peppers, even in Texas. Summer would not be complete without fresh watermelon and a bowl of hand-cranked, vanilla ice cream.

He loved his large family and humble roots. Jim and Donna worked hard to travel across the continent often to bring their children back to visit the numerous extended family and friends in Kansas, especially the family farms.  Jim took pride and joy in sharing stories of his Kansas boyhood with his grandchildren.

Jim would not consider his life so remarkable. To him, each step was just a matter of doing the right thing. At the end of his life, Jim was uncomfortably aware of his illness as he fought the trials of Alzheimer's Disease.  Notably, before the disease took its more severe turns, Jim took the time at a family gathering to apologize for anything he might have said, done or would do that might be hurtful due to his problems with the disease.  No worries, Dad. Jesus paid it all.

The disease robbed us of so much these last few years, but we know Jim is healed, every tear wiped away. No more suffering. We will miss you here, but we look forward to eternity with you in Christ. Praise the Lord. I love you, Daddy.

Those who mourn his passing also rejoice in faith that Jim has heard his Savior say, "Well done good and faithful servant."

Jim is preceded in death by his father, James Frank Hughbanks, and mother, Vivian Esther (Hunt) Hughbanks, brothers Monroe Hughbanks, Roger Hughbanks, Galen Hughbanks, Fineas Hughbanks, and sister Beverly Hurley.

Jim is proceeded in death by son, Brett Hughbanks. Jim is survived by wife, Donna Hughbanks, and sons Randy Hughbanks, wife Sue, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Daniel Hughbanks, wife Blanca, of McAllen, Texas; daughter Sarah Sims, husband Mike, of Terrell, Texas. Daughter-in-law Tamora Hughbanks, of Norman, Oklahoma.

Jim is also survived by grandchildren Grace Hughbanks, Vivian Jones (Seth), of Tennessee; Jeff Hughbanks, of Oklahoma; Lizeth Hughbanks, Christian Daniel Hughbanks, of McAllen, Texas; Abigail Sims, of Austin, Texas; Gabriella Sims, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Adam Sims, Elisabeth-Grace Sims, Beatrice Sims, Margaret Sims, Zackary Sims, all of Terrell, Texas.

Jim is survived by great-grandchildren, Isabella Hughbanks, of Oklahoma; Emma Jones, Penelope Jones, of Tennessee.

Jim is survived by siblings Harold Hughbanks (Geraldine), Karen Smith (David), Sandra Kurt (Bob), Tipton Hughbanks (Anita), Teresa Whitney (Jerry). Sisters-in-law Corinne Hughbanks, Bonnie Hughbanks, Nancy Hughbanks Strizke (Mickey).

In lieu of flowers, donations in James' memory may be made to DBC Missions ministry, Denton Bible Church, or the charity of your choice.