James Milton Carver Jr.

James Milton Carver Jr., 74, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 17, 2022. He was born on December 16, 1947 in Weatherford, Oklahoma to Milton and Peggy Carver. His family moved to Big Spring in 1951. He attended Big Spring High School where he was an all around athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and track & field. After graduating in 1967, Jim went on to play football for Kansas State University on a full ride. He was named a two time All Big Eight Offensive Lineman, an All American and played in the Blue Gray All Star game in 1970. He met his wife, Carolee, during a snowball fight near the athletic dorms. Jim and Carolee married on July 24, 1970 and have been married for 52 years. After coaching and teaching in Oakley, Kansas, Stephenville, Early, and Blanket, Jim and his family moved to Midland, Texas in 1984. He started teaching and coaching at Alamo Jr. High and moved to Lee Freshman in 1987 to teach history and coach.  Coaching and investing in the lives of students was one of his great loves and passions. He coached until 1992 when he was sidelined by blood clots. He moved to Lee High in 1997 and taught history and geography until he retired from MISD in 2007. Along the way he taught many students in Drivers Ed and also showed them how to navigate life.

Coach loved his wife, his kids, and grandkids. You could find him cheering at their school events, yelling at the refs and almost getting kicked out of their games, as well as enjoying choir concerts, dance recitals, supporting them in History Fair and just showing up in their everyday lives. He was a proud supporter of Midland Lee Rebels, Kansas State Wildcats, and The University of Texas Longhorns. He loved all things football. He was an avid car and train enthusiast and enjoyed spending time tinkering. He also had a passion for back seat driving, calling plays at any type of sporting event and having brief encounters with stupidity. “BRIEF!” He was notorious for his amusing exclamations like “Didn’t they know we were coming?!”, “Chump!”, “buzzard puke” and “May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your arm pits!” Coach loved serving and worshiping at Wilshire Park Baptist Church. He was an active participant in Men’s prayer breakfast and loved a mean potluck.

With everything that Jim was and accomplished in his life, his real legacy can be seen in his love and belief in Jesus and showing others that love. And that legacy of love is carried on through his children and grandchildren.

Coach is survived by his wife, Carolee Carver, his daughter Melissa Barlow, her husband Kent, his son Jeremy Carver, and daughter Christina Wren, and her husband Clint. Coach’s grandchildren Bailey, Jackson, Elah Grace, Keller Barlow and Nolan and Paxton Wren. Coach’s sister Connie, her husband George and their daughter’s Shannon, Bobby, Lauren Jackson and Tiffany, Shawn, and Emma Grace Hawkins. He is also survived by Uncle Sonny Moore, Aunt Wanda, and their family as well as Brother-in-Laws Cec, Dennis, Vaughn Lambert and their families.

Coach is preceded in death by his father James Milton Carver Sr., his mother Peggy Louise Carver, his father in law John Cecil Lambert and mother in law Ruth Lorene Lambert, Brother-in-Law Ronald Dee Lambert and numerous Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Midland for their love and care in his final months. The family would also like to thank Cimmaron Place staff, along with the friends he made for making his last two months a positive experience.

The visitation will be Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle Welch.  The celebration of life will be Friday, July 22, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Wilshire Park Baptist Church. Graveside services will be held at Thornburg Cemetery in Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Midland and/or Wilshire Park Baptist Church, Midland, Tx.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

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