James Bobby Trail

James (Jim) Trail has been called home for a family meeting with his mom, Frances Taylor, his dad, Stillwell Trail, his brothers, Donald Trail, Carl Trail and his younger brother, Glenn Taylor who all preceded him in death.

Jim was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, but we never held that against him because he got to Texas as fast as he could. He grew up in south Texas, attending schools in Liberty, Texas and went straight into the Air Force from high school in 1963.

While in the Air Force, he met and married his wife, Pat and they had four children: Denise, DeeDee, Brian and Merry who have all made Abilene, Texas their home. Denise is the “Mother Hen” of the family. DeeDee is married to Mark LaFrance, Jr. and they had two boys: Justin and Cody. Justin is married to Ariylah Tobey LaFrance and they have three children: Hayden, Haleigh and James Thomas. Brian is married to Marianne and they have one daughter, Katelyn Petty. Merry Schwarz has a daughter named Taylor who has now brought her husband Kolby Barnhill into the gang.

Patricia’s parents, J. Pat and Bel Wise, still live in Weatherford, Texas as do numerous other relatives.

Jim has numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins living in south Texas as well as in Oklahoma.

Jim traveled to many interesting places while in the Air Force and had many great experiences and met some super people. He retired from the Air Force in July 1989 after 26 years retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. He went to work as a DOD contractor for a few years and then took a position as a state of Texas Maintenance Supervisor for Middleton and later Robertson Unit in Abilene. He medically retired in 2005.

Jim was a Lifetime Member of the VFW, belonged to Masonic Lodge 559 for 40 years, and was a member of Suez Shrine Temple in San Angelo.

Jim loved his family and beautiful sunsets on the waterfront and he loved to dance and have a good time with friends and family. He was a good man, a good husband and father, as well as a super grandfather and great grandfather and a good friend to those he cared about—who will be greatly missed by all who had the chance to know him.

Jim will be laid to rest in the Texas State Veterans’ Cemetery at Abilene, with full Military Honors on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

Honorary Pallbearers will be; Steve Medford, Stan Koper, Fred Gentry and Robert Little.

Memorials may be made in Jim’s honor to American Cancer Society, 3402 N. First Street, Abilene, Texas 79603.