Jimmy “Jim” Doyle Wells was born September 19, 1947 in San Angelo, Texas to James H. and Helen Johnson Wells.  Jim grew up in Tyler, Texas where he attended Douglas Elementary School, Roberts Junior High School and graduated from John Tyler High School in 1965.  Jim excelled in all sports, and loved playing baseball and football. After graduating from high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country in Vietnam. Returning home, he completed his college education at Tyler Junior College and Stephen F. Austin State University (“SFA”) in Nacogdoches, Texas where he graduated with a degree in B.S. in Psychology. SFA is where Jim met the love of his life, Mary Kim Chaney, who he married on April 12, 1974 and remained happily married to for over 44 years.  Jim established a successful commercial and industrial painting contracting firm in Nacogdoches, Wells Painting Company, which he retired from in 2009. Jim and Kim’s daughter, Jessica Lauren Wells was born, June 22, 1982. Jessica married Mark Stoner and to the delight of the entire Wells family, Jessica and Mark have two sons, Collier and Callan.  Jim was affectionately known as “Ada” to his grandkids and they were the light in his eyes when he talked about them. Jim and Kim enjoyed spending time at their lake house where they regularly boated, fished and entertained close friends.  Jim was an avid snow skier and world traveler.   

Jim was a proud Veteran and loved his country. In the spring of 2017, Jim was able to travel with his daughter Jessica to Washington D.C. where he visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and paid respect to his lost comrades. He was proud of his Texan family heritage and was the Great-Great Grandson of William Wells Sr. who died in the Battle of the Alamo. Jim had a wit that was beyond compare and he delighted his family with laughter and smiles from his first words to his last text message. 

Jim is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, mother-in-law, Johnna Chaney, brother-in-law, John Chaney and Susan of El Paso, Texas, sister, Annetta Wells Payne of Tyler, Texas, nephew, Kyle Payne (Kristi), and two grand-nieces (Karson Fore and Kenzi Payne) whom he loved to tease and play tricks on.

A memorial service was held for Jim on Saturday, June 9th at 10:00 am at Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Patriot Guard Riders (https://www.patriotguard.org/donations/tribute-donation/) or to Wreaths Across America (https://donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org/?pageId=19520&relatedIds=0).

The Wells family was served by Laird Funeral Home. To convey condolences or to sign and online register, please visit www.lairdfh.net.