Jim Alan Bertucci

Obituary

Jim Alan Bertucci

Jim Alan Bertucci passed away on May 17, 2026, at the age of 76 in Garland, Texas. He was surrounded by family and loved ones at the time of his passing.

Jim was born on July 28, 1949, in Dallas, Texas, to Robert and Nancy Bertucci. He attended Bryan Adams High School and continued his education at Dallas College, the University of North Texas, and Texas A&M University. Throughout his professional career, Jim built a reputation as a hardworking and dependable leader. He served as a manager for Tom Thumb and later as Branch Manager for C.R. Laurence Company in Dallas, where he worked his way through the ranks of management through dedication, perseverance, and strong leadership.

Of all his accomplishments, Jim was most proud of the life he built with his beloved wife, Joan. Together they shared 55 wonderful years of marriage, creating a family that became the center of his world. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose love, guidance, and example shaped generations.

Jim will be remembered for his remarkable sense of humor and his incredible ability to build, invent, and solve problems. He had a gift for understanding how things worked and was always creating, modifying, or improving something. Even when faced with physical challenges, Jim’s ingenuity shined through as he designed and built devices that helped him remain mobile and independent. He approached every obstacle with creativity, determination, and a refusal to give up.

Photography was one of Jim’s lifelong passions. As a child, he traveled internationally with his grandmother Do-Do, experiences that sparked a curiosity about the world that stayed with him throughout his life. Later, he and his beloved wife, Joannie, enjoyed traveling across the United States together, capturing memories and landscapes through the lens of his camera. Whether he was behind the camera, in the workshop building something new, or researching how something worked, Jim found joy in learning, creating, and sharing his discoveries with others.

Jim loved a great guitar riff and could often be found enjoying rock and blues music. He faithfully cheered on the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, along with a deep passion of all things soccer related. Even spending time coaching recreationally. He enjoyed trying new recipes, experimenting at the grill, and sharing meals with family and friends. Above all else, however, his greatest joy came from the people he loved. His devotion to Joan, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and friends was evident in everything he did.

Those who knew Jim knew his humor was uniquely his own—sometimes peculiar, always memorable, and often exactly what was needed. He was dependable, generous with his advice, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Family and friends could count on him for practical wisdom, encouragement, and a laugh when they needed it most.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nancy Bertucci, his brother, Bobby Bertucci, and his faithful dog, Flash.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joan Ellinger Bertucci; his children, Stephanie Bertucci Preston, Jason Bertucci, and Matt Bertucci; his son-in-law, Daryl Preston; his daughters-in-law, Heather Bertucci and Jessica Bertucci; his grandchildren, Leeza Bertucci, Donavan Bertucci, Alex Furr-Tufanelli, Landon Bertucci, and bonus grandchildren Daryl Preston Jr. and Colin Preston; his great-grandchildren, Aniyah Williams, Noah Williams, and Mia Bertucci; his siblings, Nancy Bertucci Kyler and Paul Bertucci; and many dear friends whose lives were enriched by his friendship.

For years, Jim would jokingly ask, “What would you do if I wasn’t here?” While those words often brought laughter, the answer is now clear: we will carry forward the lessons he taught us, the love he gave us, and the memories he created. Though he is no longer with us, his influence remains woven into the lives of all who knew and loved him. His legacy lives on through the family he adored, the wisdom he shared, the laughter he inspired, and the countless lives he touched through his kindness, ingenuity, and unwavering love.

A Celebration of Life honoring Jim will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Five01 Yacht Club in Rockwall, Texas. Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate his life, share memories, and honor the lasting impact he made on all who knew him.