James Lee Esely
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James Esely, 84, Waxahachie psychotherapist and pastoral counselor, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Dallas, Texas. Affectionately known as "Papa" to his family, Esely was an avid reader and book collector who amassed an impressive collection of Texana, history and American literature. Esely was born July 2, 1935 in Ponca City, Okla. His father Edward Ray Esely and mother Bertha Stokesberry Esely had two sons, Jack Edward Esely and James Esely, who spent their youth in "oil patch towns" of Glenpool, Jenks and Cromwell, Okla. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Speech and Drama from Oklahoma Baptist University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) and a counseling certification from North Texas State University. Esely worked as a reporter and sportswriter for the Shawnee Star and the Hughes County Tribune. He was pastor to Pecan Grove Baptist Church in Shawnee, Okla. the First Baptist Church, and in Fort Worth, worked with Floyd Craig for the SWBTS Director of Information, Bill Moyers. In 1968, Esely accepted a position as pastor of Park Forest Baptist Church in Dallas until 1972, when he opened a private practice specializing in individual and family therapy. He dedicated his life to helping others, and he loved his work so much that he never retired. His counseling career spanned more than 50 years. Esely attended annual meetings of the Texas Rangers in Waco, Texas and belonged to the Wild West Association of Oklahoma. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Waxahachie and he was a leader for the Boy Scouts of America, Circle 10. James Esely is survived by his partner, Patricia Boatright, and former wives Emma Spess Wixson, Julie Lambert and Lea Hamilton, his children Gretchen Esely, James Esely, Benjamin Esely and David Lambert, and his grand children Andrew, Byron, Trey, Reese, Logan and Riley. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. at the Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin funeral home. Services will be held at the Boze Mitchell McKibbin funeral home Saturday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m., in Waxahachie, Texas.