James (Jim) Walter Bednarz

James (Jim) Walter Bednarz, 75, went home to the arms of his loving Savior on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. 

MEMORIAL SERVICE:  11 a.m. Saturday, April 27^th at Combest Family Funeral Home Chapel in Lubbock with Chaplain Rob Wells officiating. 

MEMORIALS:  As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests that donations may be made to your church or a Christian organization to impact lives and share the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. 

Jim was born on January 7, 1944 in Slaton, TX to Walter and Marie Bednarz.  Jim was a lifelong resident of Slaton.  He attended high school at St. John’s Seminary in San Antonio, where he was an outstanding science student.  After high school, Jim served 6 months in the U.S. Army as a radio communications specialist.  Jim attended South Plains College and Texas Technological College.  He worked at South Plains Electric Coop as a meter reader and later went to work at a foundry in Lubbock where he learned the skill of pattern  making.  In 1973, he started his own business; J&L Patterns where he developed and refined his pattern making skills.  Jim was a master pattern maker and inventor, holding 6 patents. Over time, he transitioned into working with metal and made parts for drilling equipment.  Most recently he designed, patented, and produced several water and electric meter locking devices, which are used throughout the country by various utility districts.

On June 11, 1966, Jim married his one and only love, Linda Jean Gill of Lubbock, TX.  Their favorite leisure activity was taking walks hand-in-hand each evening and talking about their day.  They started this on their first date and continued to do so throughout the course of their 52-year marriage.  Together they raised four loving daughters.  Jim was a master craftsman and could make or fix just about anything.  He was always looking for ways to make something more efficient or smaller.  His interests included raising rabbits, growing pecans and tomatoes, various woodworking and home remodeling projects.  Every week, Jim and Linda would shell pecans while they listened to Christian teachings on the radio, which increased his understanding of God’s everlasting love for his children.  Jim’s desire to share his faith touched the lives of many in the community.  He is characterized by his integrity, work ethic, and love for God.  But most all, Jim was devoted to his family and spent most of his time investing in his marriage and the lives God had entrusted to him.  Jim and Linda taught their children and grandchildren many valuable life lessons and most importantly, the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ found in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Jim was preceded in death by, and will be reunited with his wife Linda, and his parents Walter and Marie Bednarz. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter Sherry Rushing, of Sugar Land, and grandchildren Katelyn, Dylan, and Brandon; his daughter Nancy Antcliff and husband Doug of Lubbock, and grandchildren Tyler and wife Natalie, Rachael, Rebecca and husband Nick Widen, Logan and great-grandchildren Jacob, Levi and Abigail Rose; his daughter Julie Spallholz and husband Brian, of Lubbock, and grandchildren Andrew and Sarah; and his daughter Jennifer Hamilton and husband John, of Arlington, and grandchildren Claire and Emmy; siblings; Norma Jean Kitten and brother-in-law Franklin, of Lubbock, brother Richard Bednarz and sister-in-law Mary, of Slaton, sister Marsha Tye and brother-in-law Jim, of Lubbock, brother Michael Bednarz and sister-in-law Megan, of Phoenix, AZ, sister-in-law Theresa Beyer of Lubbock, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim’s daughters wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to family, friends, and members of the community for their prayers, words of encouragement and acts of kindness shown.