James Newell Voss of Fairview, TX passed away peacefully in his home on July 25, 2020, at the age of 75.
James was born on October 17, 1944 to Gilbert and Juanita Voss in Lubbock, TX. James spent his early years at various air force bases before his family settled down in Greenville, TX. James attended Greenville High School and graduated in 1963. He attended Abilene Christian College (later Abilene Christian University), where he received a degree in Communications. While in college at ACC, James was very involved and was a member of the Wildcat track team and the varsity cheerleading squad. James graduated from ACC in 1968 but continued to serve as a very active alumnus and supporter.
James met his first wife, the late Darlene Handy, in 1965 while they were both attending ACC. They married in 1968 and had two children: Bradley and Ashley.
James spent the first 20 years of his career in youth ministry, serving in churches in Winston-Salem, NC; Irving, TX; Weatherford, TX; Amarillo, TX; Dallas, TX; and Arlington, TX. In the Churches of Christ, James was a pioneer in youth ministry and helped lead the way for growing ministry to middle school and high school students in churches across the country. He was fundamental in developing Christian camps and mission trips for teenagers. James received the Youth Minister of the Year Award from Lubbock Christian College in 1977. After youth ministry James continued his education and received a master’s degree in counseling, as well as certification as a Texas teacher. Shifting to a career in education, James served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in districts across East Texas. James retired from education in 2013 after serving as Textbook and Transportation Coordinator for the Richardson ISD.
In 2013 James reconnected with Johnetta Morton, his high school prom date from Greenville High School. The two were married on February 8, 2014. James and Johnetta lived the last six years in Fairview, TX where they were very involved in their neighborhood, church, and community. James served as an elder at Greenville Oaks Church of Christ.
James is survived by his wife, Johnetta, and his two children and their spouses; Brad and Shannon Voss of North Richland Hills, TX, and Ashley and Ruth Ann Voss of Fort Worth, TX; along with six grandchildren: Phoebe, Judson, Kamalyn, Karis, Arianna, and Kodah.
The family will gather for a memorial service and celebration of life at Greenville Oaks Church of Christ on August 2 at 1:00 PM. All are welcome to join the celebration online at Greenvilleoaks.online.church. In lieu of flowers, James asked instead for donations to MADE IN THE STREETS, an organization dedicated to changing the lives of street kids in Nairobi, Kenya. Donations can be made at https://madeinthestreets.kindful.com/?campaign=273395.