In Loving Memory Of James Alton Synatschk
April 20, 1953 ~ March 2, 2026
James Alton Synatschk, 72, of Sudan, Texas, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026. He was born on April 20, 1953, in Littlefield, Texas to Alton Synatschk and Florence Dieterich.
James was raised in Anton, Texas, where he and his brother, John, helped on the family farm until the passing of their father. James graduated from Anton High School in 1971 where he proudly played football for the Bulldogs. He later attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. James married Jana West at First Baptist Church in Sudan, Texas, on August 10, 1974.
After graduating from Tech in the fall of 1975, James began his brief coaching career at Frenship ISD. There, he coached all sports for seventh grade boys and taught history. In 1977, James and Jana moved to Sudan where Jana eventually began teaching and James became the steward of two irrigated and two non-irrigated plots of land. James began expanding his farming operation as well as his family. He hauled countless animals to various livestock shows all over the state in his many years as a show dad. He mentored several other kids with their projects along the way and was thrilled to cheer for his own grandchildren ringside. Paw-Paw, as his grandkids called him, was their biggest fan.
James served on the board of directors for the Sudan Farmers Co-op, currently know as Texas Producer's Co-op, from 1998 to present. He partially retired from farming in 2012, then became fully retired in 2017. James strove to be a good and worthy steward of the resources God entrusted him with. Job well done, James. "And on the eighth day, God looked down on His planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So, God made a farmer." – Paul Harvey.
James is preceded in death by his father, Alton Synatschk; his mother, Florence Synatschk Shockey; and his stepfather, W. Jarad Shockley.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jana Synatschk; oldest daughter, Kristy Slough and husband, Greg; youngest daughter, Amber Houchin and husband, Trent; and his beloved grandchildren: Tara and Liam Houchin, and Blaine and Alex Slough.
Memorial service for James Alton Synatschk were held Thursday morning, March 5, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Sudan, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Sudan Fire Department at P.O. Box 59, Sudan, Texas 79371. Arrangements were under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas.