In the early 1950's AJ met Nancy Marie Jupe and the two fell in love and in 1953 they were joined together in marriage. The two of them built a beautiful life and family together. He spent a short time working in a factory in Houston, Texas but his heart has always been working outdoors, so after a short while, he moved his family back to Central Texas where he worked as a farmer and rancher and lived the cowboy way of life. It was a hard life, but a good life and he loved to tell stories about those days.
On the evening of August 8, 2023 our cowboy's story ended when he was called home by his Father in Heaven. Although his story has ended, his legacy lives on in all who knew and loved him. We will honor him and celebrate his life the way he would have wanted at Bellmead Funeral Home in Bellmead, TX with a visitation on Monday August 14 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. We will say our earthly goodbyes with a service on Tuesday August 15 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Riesel Cemetery.
We know there was a glorious reunion in Heaven as he was greeted by his parents, his beautiful wife Nancy, whom he cherished until his last breath, his special granddaughter, Cayla Rae Davis and also a son-in-law Buddy Bailey.
Left here to carry on his precious memory and profound legacy are his children, Kathy Bailey of Fairfield, TX, Glenda Finley and husband Steve of Walnut Springs, TX, Roy Bearden and wife Stephanie of Gatesville, TX, Gina Bearden of Riesel, TX and a granddaughter he thought of as a daughter, DeeDee Niles and husband Ryan of Huntsville, TX. Other grandchildren are Dusty Bearden, Terry Joe Maas and Jess, Kelly Hykel and husband Keith, Codie DeFrance and husband David, Devonne Bearden and Carlos and Melissa Summers and husband Mark. Great-grandchildren Olan Massingill and wife Kaitlyn, Kristen Massingill, Rhody Niles and Elizabeth, Haley, Marley and Braedan Maas, Briar Hykel, Kade, Bailey and Lacie Bailey, Joe, Rossy and Selena Uresti and Colby Summers and wife Keeley and Raven Skinner and husband Brady. Great-great grandchildren are Brookelynn Williams, Braxton Wyatt, Palmer Massingill, Brody and Rory Skinner and Henley and Laney Summers.
Pall bearers will be Brandon Jones, Bubba Bennett, Clarence Holder, Ronnie Funderburk, Randy Funderburk and Tommy O'Neil.
Honorary pall bearers are Ray Kemp, Jimmy Hill, Dale Haynes as well as his grandsons, great grandsons and his great-great grandson.
When you see a cowboy horseback, a tractor in a field, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or a breeze on a hot summer day… think of him and know that he may be gone but his memories will always be here with us.
And God will wipe every tear from their eyes; there will be no more death, nor sorrow, not crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
-Revelation 21:4