(September 11, 1972 – October 17, 2026)
James David Nash was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on September 11,1972 to Clarence Eugene and Georgia Lee Nash. He passed away Saturday, October 17, 2026 in Temple TX at the age of 54.
James is survived by his wife of 33 years, Diana (Duke) Nash. Children, Rachel Garza, and husband John of Bedford, TX, Caleb Nash and wife Srey of Stephenville, TX, David Nash of Odessa, TX, and Zachary Nash and wife Lila of Stephenville, TX. Grandchildren, Jack, Magnolia, and Charlie Garza. Brother, Rodney Nash of Springfield ,IL, and sister Stephanie Krempasky and husband Bob of Jacksonville, IL.
He was preceded in death by a brother Mike Nash, and both his mother and father.
Jim, (or James David, as his Mother would call him) grew up and went to school in a small town, White Hall, IL, where his dad was the local sheriff for years. Jim graduated from North Greene High School in White Hall in 1990. Jim was the state champion discus thrower his senior year and an “All-American” athlete. An athletic scholarship to then Southwest Texas State University brought him to Texas. Two years later he met Diana who joined the SWT track team in 1992. In his words, as he would laugh, “she chased him down,” and they married in 1993.
After they married, Jim and Diana moved to Austin and Jim attended the Southwest School of Bible Studies. He graduated from SWSBS in 1995 and began his journey preaching for churches of Christ across Texas and Southern Oklahoma. Jim and Diana worked with congregations in Shamrock, TX, Rising Star, TX, Highlands, TX, Marietta, OK, Seagoville, TX, Vidor, TX, and for the last eight years in Hico, TX.
While in Highlands, Jim graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in criminal justice and graphic design.
Through the years he continued to enjoy graphic design and helped with the layout of many books, tracts, bulletins, meeting flyers, power points, and other design items through out the brotherhood. He truly enjoyed helping things look well done.
Another highlight of his preaching years was returning to SWSBS as an adjunct teacher for a few years. He enjoyed teaching the Bible classes and especially the class teaching how to use design in preaching as an aid.
Preaching and teaching about the salvation one can have in Christ was his first love, but a very close second was his family. His great joys were his four children. Born first, Rachel, with her curly blond hair, bright blue eyes and contagious smile lit up his world. Their bond was big from day one. She will always be Daddy’s girl. He was so proud of the Christian preacher’s wife and mother she is today. Next came Caleb, who Jim very specifically named after Caleb in the Bible, because of his strength and courage. Caleb was the calm child who has daily lived up to his namesake. Jim was always eager to tell people Caleb had followed in his footsteps and is a preacher in Stephenville. He loved living close enough to hear Caleb preach on occasion. A couple of years later the twins came along, David and Zachary. Jim was so excited to be having twins. He couldn’t wait to share the news with the world. One of his favorite things to tell
about their arrival was that he did not think it would change many things.
The next 22 years have turned that thought upside down. The boys very quickly doubled the love, joy, and craziness in the family. David was the kid who Jim envied the most because of his ease with people. Jim always wanted just a little bit of that for himself. He was also very proud of his hard work ethic and that he has continued to serve the Lord and share about Jesus to everyone he knows. He looked forward to each time David came home to visit.
And Zachary was the protector of the bunch making sure everyone was taken care of. He followed in Jim’s passion for disc golf, now traveling the world playing professional disc golf. Jim loved following Zach as he played and watching him play on TV. Jim also loved that Zach continues to share his faith among his friends and those he meets as he travels.
And as much as he loved his fours kids, the newest apples of his eye, were Jack, Maggie, and Charlie. He loved being a Pa and getting to spoil them especially with donuts. Jack and Pa bonded over a trip to the donut store in Hico where Jack could get chocolate milk and donut holes that Mama made a special allowance for only with Pa.
Jim and Diana cherished their family and friends from so many places they have lived. Each place had special memories. Most recently though, the church in Hico has become a second family. There are no better people who could have been more generous or kind, especially in the last year.
Jim will be missed by all of us. He left too soon, but found a rest that we can join in one day if we follow God’s will for His people. Our wish as his family is that everyone seek to follow the Word he lived by.
Visitation 12p until services at 1pm Friday October 23, 2026 at the Hico Church of Christ.
Be the first to comment