James McEntire
December 29, 1960 – October 12, 2025

Born on December 29, 1960, in Dallas, TX, to Harold Gene McEntire and Lois Dean Woods, James McEntire passed away on October 12, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

James grew up in Oak Cliff and attended Harold Budd Elementary, William Travis Jr. High, and South Oak Cliff High School before graduating from Holy Cross private school in 1977. He later pursued technical training to support his passion for diesel mechanics.

On November 26, 1987, James married the love of his life, Jayme Adams, at the McEntire family farm in Clarksville, TX—a place that remained dear to them through years of deer hunting trips and summer getaways. The couple made their home in Grand Prairie for 20 years before moving back to Jayme's childhood home in Oak Cliff in 2008.

James began his mechanical career in the mid-1970s, working alongside his father at Allstate Bus Repair. What started as a family job building Detroit engines grew into a lifelong calling. With an instinctive understanding of diesel engines, James became a highly respected mechanic. Over the years, he honed his craft at Ryder, Bright Truck Lease, Stewart & Stevenson, Kenworth, Holt (Darr) Caterpillar, and Peterbilt. He specialized in engine diagnostics and high-performance systems, particularly enjoying his years running the DYNO at Peterbilt. He was always eager to expand his knowledge, especially in Caterpillar and Cummins engine systems.

Outside of work, James lived life full throttle. He and Jayme logged countless miles together on their motorcycles, exploring South Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A music lover to his core, James attended endless concerts and could often be found "playing at the guitar"—not quite a musician, but always enthusiastic. His record collection and playlists were epic, spanning thousands of hours. He also had a deep love for old Westerns (especially anything with John Wayne) and could quote every line from every James Bond film. It's fair to say he lived a bit vicariously through 007.

James was preceded in death by his father, Harold Gene McEntire; grandparents Jesse and Mineola Woods, and Bruce and Annie McEntire; uncles Ray Woods, Caudwell Hobbs, and Bruce McEntire, Jr.; and aunt Annie Lou Hobbs.

James is survived by his mother Lois McEntire; wife Jayme McEntire; brothers Danny McEntire and David McEntire with wife Rhonda; son James McEntire Jr. and Sonia; daughters: Christy McEntire and Jessica McEntire with William Hunt; grandchildren, Leslie, Timmy, Jessa, Layla, Mira, Jemma, Arya, and Jameson; niece, Katy Presely; nephew, Brandon McEntire; aunt, Yvonne Woods; cousins, Ray Lyn Means, Doug Woods, Lois Evelyn (Sissy) Jones, and Guy Hobbs.

Please join family and friends at a

Tribute Life Reception

From 2:00 - 4:00PM on Saturday November 1, 2025

at Yeats Hall, Tyler Street Methodist Church

927 W. Tenth St, Dallas, Texas 75208