James Paul Lindsey, 95, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, in Whitney, Texas. A memorial service for Mr. Lindsey will be held on Wednesday, August 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the White Bluff Chapel, Whitney, with Dr. Randy Marshall officiating. Inurnment will immediately follow at the White Bluff Chapel Columbarium.

Jim was born in Slaton, Texas to Paul Eldon and Essie Lou (Rampy) Lindsey on February 11, 1931. They moved to Canyon, Texas when Jim was 4 years old. He accepted Jesus as his Savior at a young age, and as a sophomore in college, he reaffirmed his faith through baptism, beginning a lifelong journey of faithful service to God. He graduated from Canyon High in 1949 and went to Texas A & M. He married Joyce J’vne Dodson on December 26, 1951 in Canyon. Jim graduated from Texas A & M in 1953 majoring in Agricultural Engineering. As he was in the Corps of Cadets, he entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant. He served at several different posts before training to be a pilot, which led the way to his lifelong love of flying.

Aviation became Jim’s passion and penned his life story, flying both fixed wing planes and helicopters. His aviation career carried him, J’vne and their two boys to many places around the world creating adventures along the way. After flight school, the Lord blessed him and his family by being stationed in Hawaii for his next assignment. After Hawaii, Jim felt led to resign his commission and work for his dad. He was in charge of the Massey-Ferguson business in Canyon, although he continued to fly with the reserves. After some bad years for the farmers, the tractor business was closed. He went back in the army, stationed in Ft. Hood, until 1962. He then moved his family to Honduras for three years where he flew helicopters spraying banana farms. After coming back to the States, he started instructing with Southern Airways at Ft. Wolters in Mineral Wells. His exceptional instructional ability was evident when he overcame a significant language barrier to teach Vietnamese military officers to fly helicopters. He then went to work with General Dynamics as a design engineer, where he designed hydraulic parts for the F-111 fighter jet. After a year of driving across Ft. Worth and working in a mile long building, he went to work for Bell Helicopter. He was so happy to be back flying as a member of the test pilot’s staff. He often said the highlight of his career was to fly the AH-1 Cobra Helicopter in the Paris Airshow of 1969. In 1970, he became the Aerial Applications Project Manager for Bell. He saw a need for a spray system for the newer helicopters, which he designed and Bell manufactured. Jim was hired by Omniflight Helicopters in 1972 in Janesville, Wisconsin as a pilot and Vice President of sales. In 1974, he opened an office in Kentucky for Omniflight. After a change in leadership at Omniflight in 1980, he returned to Bell Helicopter in Amarillo as the Facilities Manager, bringing him and J’Vne full circle back to Canyon. After retiring in 1990, he enjoyed raising cattle there until he and J’Vne made White Bluff their home. Together, they faithfully served the Lord at White Bluff Chapel, where they were blessed with many dear and lasting friendships.

Jim is survived by his wife of 74 years, J’Vne Lindsey; and their son, James Eldon Lindsey and wife, Dena Rose, all of Whitney.

He is also survived by two grandchildren, Jennifer Ruth Whetstone and husband Zane Eugene; and James Darrell (J.D.) Lindsey and wife, Janelle.

Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Liberty Rose Lindsey, Aidan Lewis Whetstone, James Paul (J.P.) Lindsey, John Eldon Lindsey, Kaylynn Janelle Lindsey, Dalton James Whetstone and Logan Zane Whetstone.

One niece, Debbie McCown and husband Travis also survives.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; son Jerry Ray Lindsey; and two sisters, Bertha Lee Smotherman and Mary Ann Lindsey.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charities or to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.