James Harold Archer

James “Jim” Harold Archer, 81 of Decatur, Texas, passed away surrounded by family and went to be with his Lord on Thursday, January 22, 2026 in Denton, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur, with burial to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Ken May will officiate. Pallbearers include Dylan Archer, Chandler Archer, Carl Hahn, Paul Stallard, and Mark Alred. Honorary pallbearers include David Sother and Terry Skodack.

James was born on March 5, 1944 to James Carl and Lena (Linnstaedter) Archer in Lindale, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1966 and worked in the petroleum industry for many years as an Oil & Gas Geologist. His work travels took him from the plains of West Texas to the sands of Saudi Arabia. James was a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur and was involved in many activities. In 2002, he organized and founded the Wise County Fossil, Rock, and Mineral Society in Decatur, an open organization dedicated to spreading knowledge and awareness of geological topics, including fossils and minerals. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved his family, friends, and pets, and enjoyed good conversations. James was a beloved father, grandfather, cousin, uncle and friend to many who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Carl and Lena Archer; his son, Kyle David Archer; a brother, Stanley Archer and his sister, Thelma Ann Walker.

Those left to cherish his memory are his former spouse, Dee Ann Archer of Decatur; his son, Kendall Archer and wife Jessica of Trophy Club; his three grandchildren, Dylan, Annalise, and Chandler Archer; his niece Kerstin Ehn and husband Warren of Arlington; cousins, Molly McFadden of Tyler and Lana Wimberly of Whitehouse; along with other cousins, extended family and a host of friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the First Baptist Church of Decatur.