James William Wickersham II

James William Wickersham II, 54, died Thursday, Feb. 27 after a lengthy illness. A memorial service is set for Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home Chapel with Melissa Wafer-Cross officiating. James was born on Feb. 1, 1960, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to James Cardwell (Bobby) and Christine Wickersham. As the youngest child of a band director and a school counselor, his happy childhood was spent attending Wichita Falls Coyote football games. During the glory days of summer he and his friends roamed the neighborhood on their bikes and spent long days at the pool. He was drum major at WFHS from 1977 to 1978 and was also an All-State trumpet player. After high school, he played trumpet in the Goin’ Band from Raider Land. He graduated with honors from Midwestern State University with a degree in finance. He worked for State Farm Claims, Travelers Claims, and Allstate Claims Service for a total of twenty-eight years. His diligence as an employee was unmatched, and James astounded everyone who met him with his attention to detail and his remarkable intelligence. James’s world revolved around his family and his music. He proudly shared his love of music with his sons, Preston and Carson, which resulted in their forming a trumpet trio and performing all over the city of Lubbock at various events. He was also a dedicated member of Westwinds Brass Band and Lubbock Concert Band. James married the love of his life, Linda Walker, on Aug. 18, 1984, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Together they are the parents of the best sons in the world, Preston (and fiancée Cheyenne Belew) and Carson Wickersham. Other survivors include his sisters, Celia Wickersham of Memphis, Texas; Patricia Lebow and her husband Jackie of Wichita Falls; nephews, Daniel (along with his wife Jennifer and daughter Emily) and Christopher (and his wife Whitney); parents-in-law, Jerry and Minnie Walker of Ringgold, Texas; sisters-in-law, Karen Byrd of Durant, Okla., Kathy Sayers and husband Mike of College Station. He is also survived by Harvey Edward Wickersham, King of the Golden Retrievers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the James Wickersham Scholarship Fund, c/o Westwinds Brass Band at 3708 97th, Lubbock, TX 79423.

James William Wickersham II

February 1, 1960 - February 27, 2014