James Dale Atchley Sr.

James Dale Atchley (Jim), beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was a lifelong Texan, proud of his country and devoted to his family. His great sense of humor and jovial wit will be missed. Jim was born in Dallas, Texas, on July 20, 1936, the son of the late Clara Duke and Grady David Atchley. He was raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, and graduated from Wichita Falls Senior High School. He was a graduate of Midwestern State University and of Southern Methodist University where he earned his Master of Business Administration and was also a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Jim was a veteran, having served two tours of duty in the U.S. Army, one with the 10th Mountain Division and one with the 4th Infantry Division (STRIKE), where he was a member of the Assault Gun Platoon, 2nd Battle Group during the Vietnam Conflict. After his military service, he pursued a career in banking and finance. He was employed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a National Bank Examiner in Houston, Texas, where he met and married Brenda Claire Howard, the love of his life. He later was employed as a Vice President of Moody National Bank in Galveston. He was the organizer, founder and President of the Bank of Galveston N.A. He went on to become the Chief Financial Officer for Pipeline Technologist, an international engineering company, where he was involved in international banking and contract negotiations in the Middle East and India, and had offices in Houston and London, England. He later joined and became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of First Western Banks Shares, a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Dallas. He owned and operated the Silver Creek Ranch of New Ulm, Texas, and the Kiowa County Cattle Company of Kim, Colorado, both commercial cattle operations. He also served on the boards of several New York Stock Exchange listed companies. Upon retirement, he and Brenda moved from Houston to Galveston.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Galveston Country Club, served on the board of the Galveston Humane Society, coached the Texas A&M Offshore Sailing Team, and worked as a volunteer at the Salvation Army. He was a licensed pilot and a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain. Jim enjoyed spending quality time with his family and friends, playing bridge with his group, reading history, ocean sailboat racing, flying, and golf.
Jim is survived by Brenda Claire Howard Atchley, his loving wife of 64 years; his daughter, Linda Renee Atchley Dragics (and her husband, David) of Annapolis, Maryland; his son, James Dale Atchley, Jr., of Galveston, granddaughter, Adele Claire Sullivan Minifie (and her husband, Samuel) and great-granddaughter, Millie Frances Claire Minifie, of Washington, DC; granddaughter, Mikhala Ann Atchley (and her fiancé, Donovan Ball), of New Caney; his brother, Craig Atchley (and his wife, Deborah), of Dallas; his sister, Kay Bashara (and her husband, Sam), of San Antonio; his brother, Alan Atchley (and his wife, Karen), of Bellville; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and his beloved pet dog, Missy.
The Atchley family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, at Malloy and Son Funeral Home in Galveston. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Thursday, October 30, at 1:00 p.m., with a reception following in Eaton Hall, followed by interment in the Episcopal Cemetery in Galveston.