You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy; Psalm 16:11
James Robert Cundiff stepped out of his earthly body into the loving arms of Jesus early Sunday morning, January 23, 2022—a glorious reality we can’t fully comprehend. We grieve the loss of his time with us but rejoice knowing he is completely whole, surrounded and filled by the love and presence of the Lord.
James was born on July 31, 1944 in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in the heart of North Dallas and spent his childhood bicycling the streets of Knox/Henderson, building derby cars, and learning from those he admired. James learned the value of hard work at a very young age caring for his younger sisters while his mother worked, mowing yards, delivering newspapers, and working the late shift at a local bakery. During his middle school years, a precious lady he referred to as “Aunt Kate” took note of his family situation and began taking James and his sisters to Scofield Memorial Church. It was in this season that James fell in love with the God who created him and made the decision to trust and follow Him for the rest of his life…He was forever changed. The middle school and high school programs at Scofield were influential in redirecting and reforming the character of this young man. His young years were not easy, but they forged in him a strong desire to serve the Lord, provide well for his family, and care deeply for the oppressed and forgotten—attributes that would change the trajectory of his family and impact his legacy for generations. James graduated from North Dallas High School and began his career at AT&T where he was recognized for problem solving, his gift of sales, and strength in management. He continued his career with several other companies, eventually building and running his own consulting business.
James met the love of his life, Carolee Chaney from Independence, Missouri in the singles class at Scofield Memorial Church. The couple married in 1967 and welcomed three daughters, Jennifer, Sarah, and Rebecca. James adored his girls and loved attending/coaching sports and activities they were involved in, cheering loudly and proudly for all to hear. He instilled in them the value of hard work, attention to detail, value of family, and beauty of the mountains, water, hunting, and fishing—his peaceful places. He enjoyed world travel with his family, especially trips Italy, Austria, Croatia and Israel. James led his family to serve the Lord, minister to those in need, and make an impact on the world around them. James and Carolee attended Fellowship Bible Church and Dallas Bible Church where the girls learned to follow the Lord and trust Jesus at a young age. James poured into the young men who married his daughters, encouraging them to honor the Lord. He was thrilled with the births of his eleven grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as Boppy, Papa and Poppy. They were captivated by his larger-than-life personality, his tenderness towards them, and stories of his exciting adventures. Many fun times were had at his property hunting and fishing with his family and friends.
His life was profoundly impacted through the ministries of Insight for Living, Promise Keepers, and Stonebriar Community Church where he was an usher. James sat on the board of Sky Ranch in the early years and was a strong advocate for YoungLife, Dallas Theological Seminary, Texas Baptist Men, and East West Ministries. The last ten years of James’ life were largely focused on relief work in Haiti where the Lord used him to help construct a children’s village, clinic, and feeding program that fed and cared for hundreds daily. He loved the people and children of Haiti as if they were his own and was blessed to be a blessing to their country.
We were grateful to have a husband, dad, and grandpa who was redeemed by the Lord, chose to change the trajectory of his family tree, and spent his days serving the God he loved and sharing that love with others. We’ll never know this side of heaven the magnitude of that. We’re thankful for all the Lord did in and thorough him during his life and for the gift of his final days filled with amazing peace and clarity. We rejoice that today and for all eternity he is at peace, completely healed, and praising the God he loves.
James is survived by his beautiful wife of 54 years, Carolee; his three daughters Jennifer Smith and husband Jared of Fairview, Texas, Sarah Heinz and husband Mike of Richardson, Texas, Rebecca Sharp and husband Joel of Richardson, Texas; grandchildren Caroline, Matthew, Elizabeth, and Luke Smith; Joshua, Benjamin, and Maribeth Heinz; Elyse, Brynlee, Lily Katherine, and Adelyn Sharp.
Our family invites friends and neighbors who wish to honor our dad, husband, Boppy, Papa, and Poppy to a celebration of his life on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at First McKinney, 1615 West Louisiana Street, McKinney, Texas 75069. There will be a private visitation on Sunday evening, January 31 for family and close friends from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, Allen, Texas.
In remembrance of James Cundiff’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made in his honor to the following organizations that have partnered with him: Vision4Word, https://cornerstonechurchfamily.breezechms.com/form/Vision4Word or Mission Regan, https://missionregan.kindful.com/?campaign=316117.