Jimmy Lester Wolverton

Jimmy Lester Wolverton, 89, of Hurst, Texas went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, surrounded by his family.

 "Jim" to his Fort Worth friends and family; “Lester" to his Henderson clan was born on January 20, 1935, in Russ County (Henderson, Texas) to the Reverend Z.E. Wolverton and Effie Swinney Wolverton. 

In 1957, he met his love, Patsy Nan Willis. They were married on May 9, 1959, in Fort Worth, Texas at Riverside Baptist Church. For 65 years, they faithfully modeled their marriage vows to their friends, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren –For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. 

Upon high school graduation, Jim served his country in the US Air Force for four years. In 1957, he began his career at General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin), as a systems specialist eventually moving into a supervisor position over field operations and final assembly on major aircraft projects including the B58, F102, F111, F-16, and F-22. In 1972, while still at Lockheed, Jim, using manual instructions, trained himself in HVAC installation and maintenance and started his own company -Northeast Service Company. He used the work to serve his church community and the extra income to put his children and wife, Pat, through college. After retiring, Jim traveled the world training pilots in various countries on the use of the Smokewinder technology for their airshows. 

Jim put his trust in Jesus Christ as a child. He was a member of North Richland Hills Baptist (Cross Church), for 64 years. He and Pat joined the church and raised all three children there. Jim embodied the Father in the Luke 15 Prodigal parable as he always erred on the side of grace and mercy with those he loved. Up until his death, he prayed daily for the salvation of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren by name. He was generous with his time, treasures, and talents. In moments of crisis, he knew when to sit in quiet with those who were suffering, when to speak words of comfort, and when to simply show up. He loved NFL football and was a faithful fan of the Dallas Cowboys. In his spare time, he coached little league football impacting not only his sons but many of their friends as well. He had a passion for fishing and fellowship with his children, grandchildren, and friends at Possum Kingdom Lake. He enjoyed golfing with friends, sons, and sons-in-law on trips and local courses, and spending hours tinkering in his “shed”. Jim could fix, rebuild, or reinvent anything mechanical whether it was designing a charger for toy cars to make “Sizzlers” efficient and faster, maximizing the exact weight ratio in a wooden car to secure a Pinewood Derby win, or replacing an entire a go-cart motor to ensure it would reach 40 mph in seconds. 

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his loving wife, Pat; sons, Clint and Mike, (Johnna), grandsons, John and Zachary, daughter, Carri Case (Kit), granddaughters Katy (Chris), Ellen, Michelle (Christian), and five great grandchildren.

 A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Cross Church- North Richland Hills, 6955 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Mid-Cities Young Life Camp (The HUB TX26) at giving.younglife.org/JimWolverton. Checks can be mailed to 425 Hillview Dr. Hurst, TX 76054