James P. "Jim" Blevins

James P. "Jim" Blevins, 86, died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009 in a Temple, Texas, hospital. He was born on Jan. 8, 1923 to Luther Squire and Charity Blevins in Smyth County. He married Billie Shurtleff of Rogers on Oct. 12, 1946 in Temple. He had lived in Temple for 61 years. He was in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He was a platoon sergeant with the 414th Ordnance Evacuation Unit during WW II. He and his brother, Herbert, owned and operated Blevins Lumber and Constructions Co., building hundreds of homes in the area. He was preceded in death by three infant brothers, a brother, the Rev. Virgil Blevins, a sister, Rhoda Marion, and a son, Ted Blevins. Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years; a son, Gerald Blevins of Troy; a daughter, Phyllis Zachary of Temple; brothers, Herbert of Temple, J.D. of Salado, and Larry of Pittsboro, N.C.; sisters, Lucille Roland of Bristol, Tenn., Zella Dove of Churchville, and Sadie Drake of Burnet; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at First Baptist Church of Troy with the Rev. Harlan Haines officiating. Burial will follow at the Temple Garden of Memories. Visitation was held from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Troy Building Fund, 20 Church Avenue, Troy, Texas 76579 or the charity of your choice. View obituary and guestbook at www.scanio-harperfuneralhome.com. This is a courtesy announcement by Bradley's Funeral Home of Marion.