James Larry Poston was born Aug. 20, 1946, in Dallas, to Bobbie and Virgil Poston and lived a full life that celebrated family, service, and loving Jesus.

He met his Lord and Savior in the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, during a restful sleep. He was helping an ill neighbor after working on his farm and delivering hay. James grew up in Dallas, the oldest son in a family of six, spending time with family, friends and neighbors going on fishing and hunting trips. Starting in the sixth grade at Bushman Elementary, he gained a love of football, playing linebacker for an undefeated team under Coach Hitt and making lifelong friends with his teammates. James graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1964 and continued to Navarro Junior College on a football scholarship. In 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Vicki. He finished his degree at North Texas State University in banking and finance. James quickly decided that wearing a tie to work every day was not for him. That led him to start a 28-year career managing a fertilizer plant in Terrell for Monsanto and El Dorado Chemical Company. He then opened Poston Seed and Farm Supply in Poetry with longtime friend John Porter and continued to serve the agricultural community for another 12 years. After retirement, James’ goals were mission trips, hunting trips and attending his grandsons’ activities - football, basketball, tennis, ice hockey, theater and more.

Over the years, James and Vicki raised two wonderful children, Angie and Wesley, on their Hiram Community farm. He also raised Charolais cattle, horses, hay, hay and more hay while constantly surrounded by hunting dogs, mostly Irish and English Setters. He developed close ties serving on the Farm Bureau board, working with the Livestock and Forage Committee, and setting up the Kaufman County Hay Show. He especially enjoyed the Livestock Forage Out of County Tours. James was saved at 9 years old at Fernwood Baptist Church, Dallas, where he continued to serve on mission trips. As a young married couple, he and Vicki moved to their Hiram farm and joined Locust Grove Baptist Church where James led the music and taught Sunday School. In the early 1980s, the Poston family joined First Baptist Church of Wills Point where James served as a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, a mission worker and a servant to anyone in need. Some of his favorite mission trips were to Brazil, Mexico and Beaumont, Texas. In later years, he joined the Texas Baptist Men Chainsaw Disaster Relief and served in Louisiana and in Texas. Recently, he served with Meals on Wheels with Vicki and with the food pantry. James’ legacy of serving others for the Lord lives on in his children and in so many who have served alongside him and who have come through his Sunday School classes.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Poston and Bobbie Morrision Poston; stepmother, Louise Chandler Poston; sister, Cindy Hust/Holcomb; brother, Rusty Poston; nephew, Virgil Webb Hust, and his brothers-in-law, Kenny Hust, Don Holcomb and Bill Rigdon.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vicki Cook Poston; sister, Marla Poston; sister-in-law, Carolyn Rigdon; daughter, Angie Maddox and his son-in-law Michael Maddox; son, Wesley Poston and his daughter-in-law Shari Poston, and his four grandsons, Carson Maddox, Tanner Maddox, Andrew Poston, and Joshua Poston, in addition to a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and extended family. He also is survived by innumerable friends from his past, church, loyal customers, and extended family who enjoyed his time, advice, friendship, sense of humor, and his love of Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, donations in James’ memory can be sent to First Baptist Church, Wills Point, or Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief: First Baptist Church, Wills Point 125 East James St. Wills Point, TX 75169 fbwp.org or Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief 5351 Catron Dr. Dallas, TX 75227

tbmtx.org/ways-to-give.