James Morris Alsup

James M. Alsup

January 26, 1937 – April 10, 2025

James M. (Jim) Alsup departed this life on Thursday, April 10.  James, as he was known as a child, the second son of Brady Alsup and Jewel Simpson Alsup, was born at home on the banks of Hog Creek near Patton in McLennan County, TX on January 26, 1937.  He learned the value of work early on as he was called upon to help his family make ends meet by working in the cotton fields at the age of six.  After graduating from Valley Mills High School in 1955, he attended Columbia University in New York for a semester before enlisting in the Army, where he earned the rank of Sergeant during his active-duty service from 1957-58. Following a semester at New York University, he then completed his undergraduate degree in Accounting at The University of Texas at Austin, where he became known to friends as Jim.  During his senior year, he met a nursing student on rotation at the Austin State Hospital where he worked. Sandra Kay Hazel became the love of his life.  Upon graduating from UT in December, anxious to begin his law studies, he left Texas and Sandy behind to enroll in January at NYU Law School.  He soon returned to both and married Sandy in 1963, entered UT Law to complete his degree, and welcomed the first of his two sons into the world—James Devin Alsup.

After receiving his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, Jim, Sandy and Devin moved to Midland, TX where Jim went to work for the city attorney’s office.  In 1967, with a second son on the way—Jeffrey Keith Alsup—Jim was given the opportunity to join Lynch & Chappell where he worked for over 50 years, helping countless clients in the areas of contracts, corporate finance, asset acquisitions and dispositions, commercial loan transactions, real estate, probate and trust.  After becoming a name partner, Jim guided Lynch, Chappell & Alsup through West Texas’ turbulent late 80’s and early 90’s.  During his distinguished legal career, Jim served on the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, was the recipient of the 50 Year Lawyer Award and was a Sustaining Life Fellow of the Texas Bar.

Jim loved Midland and dedicated his life to serving the community.  He sat on many boards, including the Permian Basin Area Foundation, Midland Health, the Petroleum Club, Midland/Odessa Area Aids Support, the Permian Basin Area MHMR Foundation, Junior Achievement of the Permian Basin, Hospice of Midland and the Sibley Nature Center.  He served as a trustee at Schreiner University in Kerrville and was a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Scharbauer Foundation. He was particularly proud of the impact the Foundation has had on the community. He also served as an elder and trustee at First Presbyterian Church, and participated in many mission trips to Belize, Thailand, Burma and Uganda.

Jim and Sandy enjoyed traveling and over the course of their life together they spent time wandering near and far with family and friends. Jim’s favorite place to be, however, was his farm in Mills County, surrounded by family and out working on fences.  He also greatly enjoyed time with his quail hunting buddies and loved bouncing across the pasture in the mutt chasing blues.

Jim loved his family and spent countless hours at sporting events, school productions and other activities, quietly beaming with pride as his sons and later his grandchildren captured his approving gaze.  In later years, he enjoyed sitting quietly observing at family gatherings, ever the presence that held everyone together.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Pamela Filler and her husband Jack, his sister-in-law Mary Alsup, and his wife of 54 years, Sandra.  He is survived by his brother William (Bill) Alsup of Fremont, CA, his brother-in-law and sister-in law Clegg and Jean Hazel of Gainesville, TX, his son Devin and grandsons Briggs and Brady of Midland, his son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Lynn of Midland and granddaughters Clare, of Carrolton, TX and Anna and Lucy of Midland, as well as several cousins and nine nieces and nephews and their children.

The family would like to thank Jim’s caregivers in the last months of his life—Connie, Maria, Mary, Lourdes, Olivia, Otillia and Stephanie—for their compassionate, loving care.  In addition, they would like to thank Hospice of Midland for helping Jim transition from this life to the next.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 3:00pm at First Presbyterian Church of Midland.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests gifts in Jim’s honor be made to the Midland Memorial Foundation, Sibley Nature Center or Schreiner University.

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

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