James Thomas "Tom" Voyles

Funeral services for James Thomas Voyles will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Crystal Springs Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor David Jeane. A wake will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Cold Springs Cemetery under the direction of Jeane Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers will be Brenden Jeter, Neko Woods, Chris Foster, Kenny Ferguson, Shane Bonner, Jerry Irey, Chris Brown, and Jeremy Floyd. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Kenny Strickland, Dustin Welch, Garry Floyd, and Kevin McEntire.
James Thomas Voyles was born on February 16, 1949, to J.D. and Joyce Voyles. He had an older sister, Patricia Lynn, with whom he shared a close bond. He often joked that she was a year older than him-though truly only by 11 months. Raised on a small farm in Powhatan, AR, Tom learned the value of hard work and dedication, traits he carried with him throughout his life and passed on through generations. Tom had three daughters: Janie, Christy, and Emily. He and his mother, Joyce, raised Janie together. He loved teaching her how to ride horses and chauffeuring her to various practices and rodeos. He also taught her how to work on vehicles and drive a stick shift. She inherited his stubbornness, which has shaped her into the strong woman she is today. Tom worked for many years as a certified Ford mechanic before joining the Department of Labor's maintenance team at Fort Chaffee Army Base. He later transferred to Fort Polk, where he eventually retired. Never one to sit still, Tom later drove a semi cross-country and worked with his good friend, Dustin Welch. Tom was a lifelong Mason and a proud member of Leesville Lodge #240. He enjoyed riding horses and roping with his late friend, Thomas Wisby-no doubt they are already swapping old roping stories in heaven. He passed his passion for horses and roping on to his grandson Brenden, and loved teaching and watching him rope. Tom also enjoyed leatherworking, a craft he shared with his granddaughter Brooklyn. He spent many days tinkering around the farm, often working on the tractor or vehicles with Brenden and his "gained grandson," Neko. While he mostly supervised, pointing fingers and giving direction, he was in fact leaving a legacy and shaping them into the amazing men they are today. Tom loved drinking coffee and watching Gunsmoke every day with his best friend, Kenny Strickland. Family was the most important part of his life. Whether it was gathering on the hill, family cookouts, reunions, birthday parties, ropings, or ball games-he was always there, supporting everyone. He was, and always will be, our #1 fan. He took great pride in his grandchildren and cherished something special about each of them. He admired how smart Korben is in school, loved how Kentleigh was always the life of the party, could always count on Charlee for a "mean mug" look, and adored Hallee for her sweet kisses. Tom had quite the personality-aggravated and bossy at times, but mostly he enjoyed laughing and having a good time. Always joking, he would often playfully argue with Brooklyn and Brenden about not having a favorite grandchild.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Janie Irey and husband Jerry of Leesville, LA, Emily Jones of Oklahoma City, and extended son Chris Foster and family.
His grandchildren: Brooklyn Woods and husband Neko, Brenden Jeter, all of Leesville, LA; Everleigh and Daphne Jones of Oklahoma City; and extended grandson Kenny Ferguson and family.
Great-grandchildren: Korben Woods, Kentleigh Woods, Charlee Jeter, and Hallee Jeter.
He is also survived by a host of family and friends.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to all friends and loved ones for their thoughts and prayers during this time. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of James, please visit our Tree Store.