James Alton Synatschk

James Alton Synatschk, 72, of Sudan, Texas, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026. He was born on April 20, 1953, in Littlefield, Texas to Alton Synatschk and Florence Dieterich.

James was raised in Anton, Texas, where he and his brother, John, helped on the family farm until the passing of their father. The brothers spent their summers farming with their Uncle Herbert Synatschk in Anton. James graduated from Anton High School in 1971 where he proudly played football for the Bulldogs. He later attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

Following the marriage of James' mother, Florence, to W. Jarad Shockley in the spring of 1973, James drove his blue '70s model, Chevrolet Chevelle SS to downtown Sudan, Texas, where he met his future wife, Jana. One of James' favorite things to do in his Chevelle was pulling onto the highway, head toward Lubbock with the pedal to the metal, and watch the odometer spin. Around Christmas of 1973, James began begging Jana to marry him on a weekly basis, and his persistence paid dividends. They were married at First Baptist Church in Sudan, Texas, on August 10, 1974. They drove all night to reach their honeymoon destination in Colorado Springs, Colorado, mainly because James failed to book a motel along the way. Upon their return, Jana's mother informed them that the film from their wedding was ruined, so the newlyweds had to restage their wedding portraits.

While completing their degrees at Tech, James worked at Tom's Tree Place in Lubbock. During his time there, he assisted with planting the trees in downtown Midland. After graduating from Tech in the fall of 1975, James began his brief coaching career at Frenship ISD. There, he coached all sports for 7th grade boys and taught history. James was a history buff and likely would have chuckled at him having passed on Texas Independence Day. In 1977, James and Jana moved to Sudan where Jana eventually began teaching and James became the steward of two irrigated and two non-irrigated plots of land. James began expanding his farming operation as well as his family. Their daughter, Kristy, was born on opening day of dove season in 1980, and the family adopted two-week old Amber in 1989. James made it possible for his daughters to show cattle and swine for many years. He hauled countless animals to various livestock shows all over the state in his many years as a show dad. He mentored several other kids with their projects along the way and was thrilled to cheer for his own grandchildren ringside. Paw-Paw, as his grandkids called him, was their biggest fan.

James served on the board of directors for the Sudan Farmers Co-op, currently know as Texas Producer's Co-op, from 1998 to present. He partially retired from farming in 2012, then became fully retired in 2017. James strove to be a good and worthy steward of the resources God entrusted him with. Job well done, James. "And on the 8th day, God looked down on His planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So, God made a farmer." – Paul Harvey.

James is preceded in death by his father, Alton Synatschk, his mother, Florence Synatschk Shockey, and his stepfather, W. Jarad Shockley. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jana Synatschk; oldest daughter, Kristy Slough and husband Greg; youngest daughter Amber Houchin and husband Trent; and his beloved grandchildren: Tara and Liam Houchin, and Blaine and Alex Slough.

Memorial service for James Alton Synatschk will be held at 11:00a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Sudan, Texas. Visitation service is scheduled for 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Sudan Fire Department at P.O. Box 59 Sudan, Texas 79371. Arrangements are under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas.

Classic 'James-ism':

Them: "How do you feel?"

James: "With my fingers!"