James Thomas Harold, Jr was known to many people by different names. Whether you knew him as Dad, Paw-Paw, Boo-sty, Jr Boy, Tarzan, Jimbo, everyone knew who you were talking about when you said “Big Jim”.

Born on December 15, 1945 in Schulenburg, Tx, as the only child to the union of James T. Harold, Sr and Elvie Bowles Harold, he was given the nickname, Jr Boy. He spent portions of his young life in Cuero, Tx where he was known as Boo-sty. He accepted Christ at an early age at Schulenburg’s St. Stephen’s Baptist Church. He and his parents would later join Pleasant Union Baptist Church.

In 1963 he graduated from J.A. Green High School in Schulenburg. He was known as a prolific athlete and excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. Big Jim would continue to compete in basketball when he moved to San Antonio and played for the St. Phillip’s College Tigers where he was nicknamed Tarzan. After college, in his spare time he played on various baseball and softball teams throughout San Antonio.

He began his career as a truck driver and joined Red Arrow Freight Lines. As a dedicated employee, Big Jim would work for Red Arrow for over 20 years until the company’s closure in Texas. Big Jim then became an owner/operator of his own fleet of trucks. He would continue until his health began to fail.

While many knew of his career as a truck driver, everyone who knew him was acutely aware of his passion for horses, cattle, and rodeos. Big Jim bought, sold, and trained roping horses. He was partial to Quarter horses because of their combination of speed and muscular build. For the last several decades, many of the horses he worked with would be used by cowboys to win rodeos and awards. In addition, he bred and sold cattle. It was not uncommon to see him driving a red diesel dually pick-up while pulling a goose-neck trailer loaded with cattle or horses…headed to the next rodeo or stockyard.

Big Jim will be fondly remembered for his gregarious personality, deep voice, and genuine smile. He was a father figure and mentor to many. In his later years, you knew when you visited him, he was either watching basketball, football, or channel 5 (soap operas during the day and Wheel of Fortune in the evening)!

In the early morning of February 6, 2022, Big Jim’s pain and suffering ended, and he began his peaceful rest. He was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

Jimbo is survived by his loving wife, Leah Phillips-Harold. To cherish Dad’s memory are his children Trena Stevens and her husband Kenny, Ellette Harold, James T. Harold, III and his wife Paula, RoseCarlie Harold, and Roberson Harold. Paw-Paw’s legacy will continue in his grandchildren Irena Azuogu and her husband Kelechi, Tyler Harold, Cameron Harold, Josiah Harold, and great-grandchildren Jordan & Kayla. Jim will be remembered by the families of his sisters-in-law Celia Phillips and Leslie Free, and brother-in-law Clay Phillips. He leaves behind relatives from the Bowles & Harold families, and a host of friends, including close friend Tex Williams.

VISITATION: 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022 

 4:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M.

LEWIS FUNERAL HOME

811 S.W.W.WHITE RD.

SAN ANTONIO, TX

INTERMENT: 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 

1:00 P.M.

SCHULENBERG COMMUNITY CEMETERY

SCHULENBERG, TX 78956

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/james-harold-jr/obituary/

Copy