James Michael Brantley went to meet the Lord Dec. 28, 2025, following a heart attack and stroke. 
In his passing, James gave the gift of life through organ donation, helping others in need. As of today, three individuals have received these life-saving gifts, with the possibility of helping many more.
James graduated from Dallas Christian High School in 1979 and went on to graduate from International Bible College in Florence, Ala., in 1982. He later returned to Dallas, where he married Becki Harman and raised their three sons. The family lived in Mesquite before eventually moving to the farm in Kemp.
Throughout his life James worked in several different fields, but in his later years he was employed at Big Daddy’s Flea Market, where he helped manage the operational side of the business for 17 years. James was deeply dedicated to his work and, above all, to his family.
James was preceded in death by his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Brantley and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Clark, uncles Lynn Brantley and Gary Dippery and aunt Jean Shuemake.
He is survived by sons Evan Brantley and wife Ariana and their sons Kash and Brixx of Odessa, Josh Brantley and wife, Leslie and their sons  Shawn, Kyle and William of Odessa and Nick Brantley of Kemp, parents Mike and Gwynda Brantley of Seagoville, brother Joel Brantley and wife Kim of Scurry and their children Colten Brantley and wife Brittany and their daughters Peyton and Mila of Kaufman and James and Karson Mamantov of Seagoville, uncle Gary Brantley and wife Linda of Richardson, aunts Jacqui Brantley of Kemp and Jennifer Dippery of Conroe, cousins Julie Lyons, Debbie Van Wagoner, Susanna Matheny, Jimmy Shuemake, Carol Brinker, Valerie Raley, Lynn Brantley, Trisha Brantley, Laura Dippery, Jared Dippery, Emily McMurray, Terry Brantley, Tamara Rasbury and Tracey French and his dear friend Yulonda Smith Hathcock, as well as numerous other extended family and friends.
James was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him.