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James McLeod Obituary
He began life in McAllen, Texas on August 11, 1943, the child of Helen and William Angus McLeod, Jr.
Jim graduated from McAllen High School, attended Texas A&M and graduated from Austin College in 1965. While in Austin College, he spent a summer as a participant in Crossroads Africa, one of his life's valued experiences. He was inducted into Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1968. After a period of ministry, he returned to school and received his Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Texas-Austin in 1972. He served as a supply pastor while teaching history at Pan American College in Edinburg. He received his Ph.D. degree in Latin American Studies from Tulane University in 1990. While doing research for his dissertation, he served as a Presbyterian missionary to Mexico directing a primary health care program in the State of Tamaulipas. He subsequently taught history at the University of Houston.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he worked with the Kickapoo Indian Tribe of Texas to help them gain federal tribal recognition and citizenship status and then raised the money for a homeland property and community center in Eagle Pass. In the 1980s he was a founding member of Witness for Peace, a group that sought to promote peace in Nicaragua. Subsequently, he spent years working with Puentes de Christo and Comunidades Unidos Para Salud (CUPS) to provide services to people in Mexico. Jim had a large and generous heart for the hungry, homeless and handicapped.
He returned to active ministry in 2004 as the interim pastor for Sealy (Texas) Presbyterian Church and then as interim pastor of Spring Branch (Texas) Presbyterian Church. In 2008 he became the installed pastor for Brenham (Texas) Presbyterian Church.
He served at chaplain for Clan McLeod, U.S.A.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Bill Wilder, Gerald McLeod, and Vinson McLeod and by his first wife, Mary Catherine Cloud, the mother of his children. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann Wycoff, son Brooks McLeod, daughter Sara McLeod Humphress (Tony) and grandchildren Cameron, Katie and Matthew Humphress. He is survived also by brothers John McLeod (Betty), Angus McLeod (Gwen) and sister Martha McLeod Doffing (Larry), Sister-in-Law Cory Raymond, numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He knew the bounty and joy of a large, loving family.
Jim's passions included God and Christ, family, friends, church, education, history, genealogy, work, pastoral care, carpentry, gardening, dogs, opera and ballet. His was a life of The Word and of service to many who needed a heart, a hand or an ear.
Jim's family thanks Vicar Sharon Schwartz of Christ Lutheran Church in Brenham, the staff of High Hope Care Center in Brenham and the staff of Hospice Brazos Valley in Brenham for their loving care of Jim and his family.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of McAllen, Texas at a date to be announced.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, Brenham (Texas) Presbyterian Church or First Presbyterian Church of McAllen, Texas.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James McLeod
4 Entries
Sharon Nelson Duke
October 10, 2025
What a wonderful life Jim had. As a widow myself, I know how much his family misses him.
I remember what a nice person was when we were in McHi together.
My deepest auto his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Sharon Nelson Duke
Joe Newell
October 7, 2025
I met Jim when he became the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Houston. He was fresh out of seminary and it was his first ministry. He was only a few years older than me and like many other young members, I was inspired to attend church again because of his enthusiasm, progressive ideals, and his likability. We also became close friends and spent many memorable times together. Over the years, of course, the miles between us and our separate busy lives caused us to grow apart but our lifelong bond retained a closeness in spirit. When we did see each other, we could take up right where we left off. He was always there when our family needed him, even years after he was no longer our minister. One of my fondest memories is when we began (but never finished) working together on documentary films surrounding two of his missionary projects. I regret we were never able to finish them, for Jim's sake.
My condolences to Mary Ann, Brooks, and Sara, and the rest of his family. Know that Jim's accomplishments were many and he positively touched so many lives. He will be remembered as someone who made a difference.
Mark Plunkett
October 4, 2025
Jim and I became friends when he served as the interim at Spring Branch PC. During our conversations, we discovered that his father and my grandfather worked together in the Rio Grande Valley at one of the WORK camp set up by President Roosevelt. Jim was raised in that camp with my mother and they were childhood playmates. From there, we developed the kind of friendship that´s easy and comfortable, even when we didn´t see each other very often. He was a kind, gentle soul, and I loved him a lot.
Melissa Currie
September 25, 2025
Dan, Zachary, Justin, and I will always have the fondest memories of Jim. He was a wonderful addition to our family, and his love of God and humankind will forever be remembered.
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