James Roland Thetford

James Roland Thetford passed away at the VA hospital in Temple on Saturday, July 7, 2018, at age 74. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the Pavilion at Fort Parker Memorial Park, with Chaplain Jon Honea officiating. James (known to all as Jim) was born on September 25, 1943 to Joe Thetford and Sammie Lewis Thetford at Groesbeck.  He grew up in the Horn Hill community and graduated from Groesbeck High School in the Class of 1962.  After graduation, he served in the U. S. Marines.   He worked in many different states in the oil fields, while living in Oklahoma.   Around 2000, he retired and moved back to Horn Hill to help his sister Laneal take care of their mother.     They took care of her at home until she passed away at age 91.   Shortly after her death, Jim had his first heart attack and suffered health problems the rest of his life.     However, for as many years as his health allowed, he mowed and maintained the Horn Hill Cemetery, where his grandparents and a few other relatives were buried. He and his sister Laneal continued to live at the family home at Horn Hill.  He loved her grandchildren and his nieces and nephews, treating them like they were his own children.  He was a fun-loving person and loved all his friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; niece, Julie Ballew; nephew, Michael Thetford; and just recently, his sister, Rachel Henderson. He is survived by his brother, Bill Thetford of Killeen; sister, Laneal Ballew of Horn Hill; and sister, Diane Croy of Hurst; close friend of Rachel and the family, John Harris of Teague; and nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.