Marcelino "James" Jimenez, Jr.

Marcelino "James" Jimenez Jr. of Amarillo, Texas passed away on the morning of December. 4, 2020.

James was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico on December 17, 1951 to Marcelino  B. Jimenez and Izabel (Salas) Jimenez. James was the oldest of six children. He attended Tucumcari Schools until 1969,  when he enlisted in the U.S Army and was part of the 2nd Armored Division. During his deployment in Panama, he met his wife, Lucia Gonzales Jimenez. They were married on November 5, 1973. James and Lucy have two children Zodey and Eric. In 1991, James retired as a Staff Sergeant after serving 22 years in the U.S. Army. In 1992, he joined the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a correctional officer for the next twelve years in Amarillo, Texas before retiring. In 2010 James achieved his lifelong dream of earning a degree receiving an Associates of Business Administration from Amarillo College.

James was a music lover and enjoyed listening to Van Morrison and Tejano music. James was a loving grandfather and visited his grandchildren often and loved to claim he and Lucy were the Panama City Disco champions of 1973.  He had a special song for each of his grandchildren. James loved to read in his free time and travel throughout the southwest.

James is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved brother Geraldo “Jake” Jimenez Sr.

James is survived by his wife, Lucia, and his children, Zodey (Steven) Martinez of Rio Rancho, NM, and Eric (Rebekah) Jimenez of Artesia, NM. His grandchildren also survive him, Andreas and Jonathon Martinez of Rio Rancho, NM  Abigaile, Ayla, Raiden, and Rhys Jimenez of Artesia, NM.  His brothers and sisters also survive him, Hope (Roy) Curry of Yukon OK, Larry (Evelyn) Salas of Colorado Springs, CO, Angie Sanchez of  Albuquerque NM, and Arturo Jimenez of Tucumcari NM.  Nieces and nephews survived by James, Jake (Adriana) Jimenez of Sapello NM, Patricia (Jose) Aceves of Mustang, OK, Randy (Angelina) Gallegos of Mustang, OK, Michelle Gallegos of Tucumcari, NM, Mark (Jessica) Salas of Colorado Springs CO, Joe Salas of Phoenix, AZ and numerous great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family.