James Byrd Bearden

James Byrd Bearden of Matador passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Services will be on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 10 am at the First United Methodist Church in Matador. Burial will follow at East Mound Cemetery.

 James was born on February 14, 1942 in Motley County to Jack Bearden and Ethel (Toots) Bird Bearden. James attended elementary school at the school located on the family ranch and continued his education in junior high and high school in Matador. He graduated from Matador High School in 1960. He received his bachelor’s degree from West Texas State.  James was blessed with 2 children. Tina and James Hal. James loved ranching, and managing cattle on the ranch. Watching the wildlife on the ranch brought him joy, especially in his later years. The ranch was a special place to James, but he loved it the most when his family, his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids visited the ranch. James had a hobby of looking for arrowheads and artifacts. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Matador.

James was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Carlena Osborn, a brother Ros Bearden and his son James Hal Bearden.

James is survived by the mother of his children Gail (Brown) Harwell, his daughter Tina Bearden Hartness (Greg), three grandchildren Derek (Kristen) Loveless, Holly (Steven) Bellah, and Hannah Hartness, six great-grandchildren, and a sister Jackie (Ricky) Green.

 Pallbearers:  Britt Bearden, Tanner Bearden, Max Bearden, Ricky Green, Eric Green, and Tim Shannon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:  Matador Volunteer Fire Department, Matador First United Methodist Church, East Mound Cemetery or Matador Senior Citizens.