People with a light heart and witty sense of humor have a way of protecting us from their pain. We hold onto their smile, their dumb dad joke, the next “I am doing alright” and take it in stride. We grasp their smile in our minds with an unwavering sense of hope that, indeed, they are well and will remain beside us for years to come. On this day, we know you are okay, but our hearts are not. The hope has slipped away, and we say our final goodbyes. Goodbyes filled with memories, funny stories, favorite songs, Tubble’s anecdotes, some regrets, and love that will live on through the generations you have influenced.
Born in 1951 in Jenks, Oklahoma, Evertt James Bortzfield (Jim) was called from his earthly body on July 25, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Debra Pugh Bortzfield, sons Dustin and Jimmy Bortzfield, Jayson Whitlatch, daughter Michelle Doughty, sister Teresa Clark, daughters-in-law Carol Bortzfield and Jessica Whitlatch, son-in-law Tyler Doughty, granddaughters Chloe, Landry, and Chance Bortzfield, Lucy Doughty, Annalise Whitlatch, Hazel Barvitsky, and grandsons, Beau Doughty, Brayton Scott and Evertt Whitlatch.
When asked “what is your favorite thing about Opa?” Landry answers, “He is fun and funny.” We can always count on him for a good laugh. Though corny, a good laugh, nonetheless. Jim is a 1969 graduate of Crane High School and graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington. An accountant by trade, he was a driven entrepreneur that pursued a career in real estate. As a young man, Jim owned Tubble’s Spas in Dallas, Texas. He loved sports and showed a particular liking to Texas high school football. He was a basketball coach for his oldest son, Jimmy, and hosted a Texas football website that spotlighted Lake Highlands athletics. Jim’s legacy will live through his teaching of how to treat others. He insisted that his children respect every person, no matter color, race, gender, or economic status. We promise to uphold these values as we teach our children to become loving adults.
A "come and go" visitation will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home at Hwy 75, Exit 38A Ridgeview Drive in McKinney, Texas. Due to social distancing rules, the reception will be a come and go event to prevent a large crowd. Please observe and respect these guidelines by paying your respects and exiting so that others may enter the building. A private burial will be held Saturday morning for family members. Facial coverings will be required by the facility.
We are asking that you take a few moments to write your favorite funny story about Jim so that his grandchildren can have an account and remember his beloved humor. There will be a basket at the sign-in table to receive your story.
In lieu of flowers, Jim has requested that donations be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Please make donations in memory of Jim Bortzfield at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
I wish you peace when times are hard
A light to guide you through the dark
And when storms are high, and your dreams are low
I wish you the strength to let love grown on,
I wish you the strength to let love flow,
I wish you the strength to let love glow on
I wish you the strength to let love go on.
-The Eagles, I wish you Peace