Extracted from The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock, TX)
Thursday, August 26, 2010

James Reagan Thrailkill

Graveside services for James Reagan Thrailkill, 90, of Grapevine, Texas and former longtime Lubbock resident will be conducted Friday morning at the City of Lubbock Cemetery. The viewing will be Thursday evening at Rix Funeral Home, Lubbock.

Mr. Thrailkill died Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 in home hospice care in Grapevine, Texas from long-term C.O.P.D. He was born November 18, 1919 in Gordon, Texas to Delia Peach Thrailkill and James Oscar Thrailkill. His family moved to the Plains in 1925 in a covered wagon developing dry prairie into agricultural production. Raised on a cotton farm, he was captain of his high school basketball team and ran track for the Levelland Lobos. Reagan graduated from Levelland High School. He married his childhood sweetheart, Wilma LaVerne Vardeman on August 22, 1942. They were married for 49 happy years. Reagan was an Army infantryman serving in Company A of the 127th Regiment in World War II. Twice wounded in the campaign for Luzon, Phillipines, Reagan was awarded the Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Stars for Bravery. Honorably discharged at Veterans Hospital in Temple, Texas on September 13th, 1945, he returned to Hockley County to the family farm where he raised cotton for four years. Reagan studied appliance repair under the GI Bill and worked for years as Service Manager at Myrick Appliances. He later opened his own repair business, Reagan Appliance where he served hundreds of loyal Lubbock customers, making service calls until he was 75! Reagan was a member of Asbury Methodist Church for 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, camping and touring the western U.S. and Canada with his wife, LaVerne, in their RV. He also enjoyed making music, playing the fiddle, guitar and harmonica.

He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne; his parents; two sisters, Zelma Hart and Vera Ayers.

Survivors include sons, James Roger Thrailkill and wife Barbara of Grapevine, Texas and Max Allan Thrailkill and wife Lillie of San Antonio, Texas; Grandchildren, John Thrailkill (Jennifer), Greg Thrailkill (Colette) , and Katye Lotz; three great-grandchildren, Jack, Ellen and Michael; sister-in-laws, Mildred Herberger and Jo Olive Vardeman.