James Harold Birdsong's Obituary
James Harold Birdsong, 84, was called to be home with his Lord and Savior on the evening of April 29, 2025, at Southeast Memorial Hospital.
James was born on February 5, 1941 in Midland, Texas to William Paul Birdsong and Leora Helen McClure Birdsong. The Birdsong family moved to Odessa, Texas when he was approximately 5 years of age and remained there until 1968.
James graduated from Odessa High School in 1959 and attended Texas Western University (now University of Texas El Paso) on a basketball scholarship. Basketball was his first love.
James met the love of his life while attending Odessa High School in Study Hall where they remained friends for several years. He and Gail began dating after James had gone off to college and she was a senior in high school. Their first date was in a rumble seat of a model T Convertible. They continued dating while James attended college and were married on July 20, 1961.
After College James went to work for Reed Tool Company in Odessa, Texas and was later transferred to the Houston office. He worked for Reed Tool for 16 years before joining Gail in the printing business in 1978. The Birdsong family has continued to operate Birdsong Printing to this day. James was very dedicated to his work and didn’t believe in taking time off for any reason!
James and Gail were long time members of Sagemont Church. He loved being a part of the Men’s Ministry and the many friends he made there.
He was very active in the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and Keep Pearland Beautiful where he served as president at one time. He loved volunteering his time with many projects including recycling. He would take his 2 grandsons to recycle events often. They asked if their pawpaw had invented recycling. They loved working alongside him.
His hobbies over the years were painting, working in his workshop and working puzzles. But his true passion was maintaining his yard and he continued to mow until the age of 83.
James was preceded in death by his parents and 2 grandchildren, Landon Birdsong and Abigail Birdsong.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Gail, daughter Jamye LeBouf and husband Ray, son Scott Birdsong, grandchildren Jared LeBouf and wife Ashley, Chad LeBouf, John Birdsong, great-grandchildren Beckett LeBouf, Parker LeBouf and Hunter LeBouf, brother Kenneth Birdsong and wife Margaret, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Visitation and Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, May 9, 2025, at South Park Funeral Home, 1310 N. Main, Pearland Texas. Visitation will be from 2pm-3pm and the Celebration of Life will follow at 3pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Helping Hands, P.O. Box 34, Pearland Texas 77588 or Prisoners Bible Institute, P.O. Box 265, Manvel, Texas 77578
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