Jim Nance

James William "Jim" Nance, Sr., 72, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2015 in Wichita Falls.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel.  Military burial will follow in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Jim was born April 29, 1943 in Hyden, Kentucky to the late James Calvin Nance and Thadene Lewis Nance of Hyden, Kentucky.  He served in the United States Navy for 4 years as a machinist on the Destroyer Escort stationed at Pearl Harbor.  After his service he married the late Nell Copeland from Houston and she preceded him in death May 7, 2009.  They raised their family in Abilene where he also enrolled into the Police Academy in 1965.  He married Suzanne Wilton July 10, 2010 in Graham. 

Jim came to Graham in 1974, starting as a patrolman, moving through the ranks to Investigator, Captain, Assistant Chief, and finally, in 1993, he assumed the leadership as Chief of the Graham Police Department.  Chief Nance was a pioneer in law enforcement and made Child Safety a priority of the agency.  During his tenure, he served actively on the board of Virginia's House and our Family Resource Center, one of only three in the State of Texas at the time. 

He created a Juvenile Investigator Position, implemented the Graham PD's involvement in the D.A.R.E. Program, and oversaw the Kid Cop Academy, a summer initiative where elementary age children attend a mini camp aimed at teaching summer safety and stranger/danger rules.  Additionally, Chief Nance instituted a strong training program allowing officers to maintain proficiency and growth in Law Enforcement.  Chief Nance described police work not as a profession, a career, or a job, but a "craft," that only dedication and effort could really make anyone good at.

One of his biggest contributions, Jim made to The Graham Police Department was that he made the personnel of his department a family.  His concern carried over from start of shift to their life at home.  At his last Christmas party with the Department , he presented each employee a Saint Michael Medallion explaining that he prayed God would look out for them since he would no longer be there as Chief to do so. 

He retired from the Graham Police Department in 2009, but his heart and spirit have remained with them everyday since then and will always be a part of the department.

Heaven opens its gates to one of the finest men to wear a police uniform and he will be sorely missed by all who served with or for him.  May he rest in Peace with the appreciation of a grateful community.

Those left behind to treasure his memory include his wife, Jeffie Suzanne of Graham; sons, James William Nance, Jr. and wife, Stacey of Canyon and Jeffrey Lewis "Chip" Nance and wife, Tiffany of Van Buren, Arkansas; daughter, Ashley Hysmith and husband, William of Graham; brother, Jerry Nance and wife, Mary Helen of Clyde; sister, Peggy Shoemake and husband, Shelby of Bristol, Florida; brother, Paul Nance and wife, Mary Lee of Peaster; brother, Ricky Nance and wife, Cindy of Houston and 11 grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his sister, Ann Myer Nance from El Paso.

Family visitation will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Virginia's House 729 Elm St. Graham, TX. 76450.