James "Birdie" Atwood

James Robert “Birdie” Atwood, aged 79 of Weatherford, TX passed away Saturday, November 8th, 2025 following a courageous battle with cancer. A funeral service was held at 12pm on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Horseshoe Bend in Weatherford, TX with a lunch that followed. A graveside service will be held on 12:00pm Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Tuscola Cemetery in Tuscola, Texas with lunch after. Please feel free to attend.

After losing his first love and wife of 43 years Frances, he found love again with wife, Jan Gaston, of Weatherford. James and Jan had some great adventures. They spent summers at their cabin in NM surrounded by God’s beauty, they enjoyed watching football and golf together and Jan even helped James discover a love of music-mostly country, and they even went to see Hank Williams Jr just last month. James loved to listen to Jan and her brother Gary play guitar and sing Johnny Cash.

James was born on July 2, 1946 and raised in Abilene.  He graduated from the SMU School of Banking and went on to enjoy a successful career in banking and then in sales. He was well respected and admired by both his colleagues and clients.

James was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Horseshoe Bend where he found fellowship and a love of country hymns along with being a gifted bible study leader. His gentle spirit and unwavering faith touched everyone he met. He treasured every moment he spent with his family, especially hunting and fishing with his boys!

James is preceded in death by his parents William Russell and EvaNell Atwood, a brother William Russell “Junior” Atwood and his wife of 43 years, Frances.

He is survived by his two sisters Sharon Rideout(Abilene, TX) and Janara Bennett(Leander, TX), sons Kevin (Longmont, CO) and Mark (Lubbock, TX) and daughter Brooke (Justin, TX). James also has nine grandchildren including Braeden, Emily, Olivia and Will, JaCoby and Madison, Mackenzie, Tommy III and Colby, as well as five great grandchildren.

James will be remembered for his kindness, his wisdom and most importantly, his faith. His love for his family and his ability to laugh heartily will continue to inspire all of those who were blessed to know and love him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”