Dr. James A. Puckett, age 76, of McKinney, Texas, went to be in the loving arms of the Lord on June 12, 2010 with his family by his side. Jim was born in Quitman, Texas on March 24, 1934 to Otis and Era Shaw Puckett. After graduation in May 1951 from Tyler High School, Jim attended East Texas Baptist University, Tyler Junior College, graduated from Baylor University in 1955 and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1953. He was married to Edna Nicholson. Jim was saved, baptized, called to preach, ordained and married in the First Baptist Church in Quitman, Texas. He was pastor in Kentucky and Michigan. Jim was director of the Speakers Bureau Temperance League of Kentucky. In Texas, he was pastor in Wortham, Texas, Big Spring, Texas, and Harlandale in San Antonio. For nearly 20 years Jim was pastor of First Baptist Church in McKinney. During these years, Jim served a total of 35 years as a trustee at Baptist Memorial Geriatric Center, Hispanic Seminary, Dallas Baptist University and East Texas Baptist University. He was active in Ministerial Alliance, Lions Club, Saint John’s Masonic Lodge and became a 33rd Degree Mason. Jim was a member of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Mission work played an important role in his life, starting a new church in New Baltimore, Michigan. A Hispanic church in Big Spring and sponsoring a Hispanic church in San Antonio and McKinney. In addition, he started a suburban church in McKinney, a Seminary Extension Center in Big Spring and was the first Bible teacher at Howard College. Jim participated in many overseas Mission trips. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Newlyn Cain, and great-granddaughter, Lily-Maih Callaway. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Edna; son, Jim Puckett, Jr. and wife, Karen of Princeton, Texas; daughter, Carol Puckett Lockwood of San Antonio, Texas; and son, Timothy Puckett and wife, Tina of Allen, Texas; grandchildren, Cody James Lockwood and Timothy James (TJ) Puckett, Caitlyn Jo Lockwood, Jeremy Callaway and wife, Sarah, Jonathan Callaway and wife, Dawn, and Jacob Callaway; great-granddaughter, Taylee Callaway; sisters, Gwen Lipscomb of Garland, Patsy Gaston of Okmulgee Oklahoma; brother, Joe Puckett and wife, Ann of Dallas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at First Baptist Church of McKinney, Texas with Dr. Ed Spivey and Dr. Jeff Warren officiating. Interment will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Lee Cemetery in Winnsboro, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Monday at First Baptist Church, 1615 W. Louisiana, McKinney, Texas, 75069. Memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, 600 Tennessee St., McKinney, Texas, 75069.