James Atwater, age 83, died Monday, April 29, 2013 in Amarillo, Texas.

Graveside services were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Folsom Cemetery in Folsom, New Mexico. Arrangements were under the direction of Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico. Pallbearers were Damon and Ryan Brown, Trem Atwater, David, Shawn, and John Henry.

James Henry Atwater was born on November 22, 1929, to Frank Jasper Atwater and Jessie (Neish) Atwater of Starkville, Colorado. He passed away on April 29, 2013, in Amarillo, Texas. Jim married Margaret Olive on May 15, 1954, in Raton, New Mexico. To this union was born two children, Karen (Burl) Brown of Des Moines and Brad (Kim) Atwater of Folsom. With love and compassion he and Marge extended their family to include Shane Atwater of Alcalde, Shanna Atwater of Folsom, Tina (Joseph) Lever of Raton, Roxann (Jerry) Feldman of Folsom, Jackie (Steve) Linderman of Golden CO, and numerous foster children. Jim served his county in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After returning home he drove trucks for Denver-Amarillo Express and Red Ball Freight Company. He also owned and operated a backhoe and excavation business until his retirement. Jim was preceded in death by his father Jasper in 1932, mother Jessie in 1976, and by brothers Robert, Lawrence, Howard, and Johnny Atwater and sisters Mildred and Edna Atwater and Betty Towndrow.

SURVIVORS:

WIFE: Marge Atwater of Folsom, New Mexico.

2 CHILDREN: Brad Atwater & his wife Kim of Folsom and Karen Brown & her husband Burl of Des Moines.

He is also survived by grandchildren Damon Brown & wife Jennifer, Ryan Brown & wife Pennie, Amber Smith & husband Warren, Brandy Schear & husband Chris, Jamie Moehring & husband Chris, James "Trem" Atwater & fiancé Jessica Burton, John Henry, Shawn Henry, David Henry, Joseph Lever, Kayla Lever, Felicia "Cuatro" Cope, Jody Feldman, Preston Linderman, Quinn Linderman, and Dominic Linderman. Great-grandchildren Anthony, Joni, Hayley, Rylan, Jessa, Jadyn, Braeden, and Tucker. Jim is survived by his brother Eddie Atwater & wife Josephine, sister-in-law Pearl Weese, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Because of his love for animals the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Raton Humane Society, PO Box 1321, Raton, New Mexico 87740, or to the charity of your choice.