James Lyn Pazdral was born on April 7, 1993, in Austin.
He died at home in El Paso, Texas, on March 18, 2021.
At his death, he was a first lieutenant on active duty with the 167th Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.
He was a loving brother and son. He also deeply loved his country with a mixture of old fashioned and modern patriotism.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in May 2017 and served in the U.S. Army until his death in March 2021.
He is survived by his mother, Lynn; his father, George Howard; and his brother, George Anthony; along with aunt, Julie Pazdral Fuller and Jerry Fuller of Frisco, Texas; cousin, Suzanne Fuller Atcheson and her children, Avery and Wyatt, of Lubbock, Texas; aunt, Susan Huss Foertsch and Steve of Roswell, Georgia, their children, Kendall and Evan; and aunt, Janet Huss of Kirkwood, Missouri.
James graduated from West Lake High School (Austin) in 2012 and attended Greystone Military preparatory
Academy at Schreiner University in Kerrville, preparatory to gaining admission to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point from 2013 through 2017.
James had a beautiful mind and a beautiful soul.
His sense of humor was second to none.
He was compassionate and especially loving to animals. He volunteered extensively at an animal shelter while stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia.
He was a tenacious chess player and an amateur photographer.
He was always at home when wielding a chain saw, cutting brush and large trees for pasture management.
He enjoyed home mechanics on his pickup truck.
James will be missed by many. His life was cut tragically short as he struggled with a severe depression. Death comes for us all, but death came for him far, far, too soon.
His remains will be placed at the columbarium at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin and later with a burial in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville beside his paternal grandparents.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Jim and Marilyn Huss of Illinois; and his paternal grandparents, Dr. George and Lucille Pazdral of Somerville, Texas.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 2 p.m. in Austin at Riverbend Church in the Home for Hope sanctuary.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of James by donating in his name to Stop Soldier Suicide, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Humane Society of the United States, or another charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Webb Corley Fish Funeral Home in Austin, Texas.