Obituary of Brigadier General James T. Bonsall

Brigadier General James T. “Jim” Bonsall passed away Thursday, June 1, 2017. He was born in Beaumont, Texas April 27, 1928. His parents moved to Winn Parish shortly after his birth.

He graduated from Calvin High School in 1946 and enlisted as a PVT in the Army Air Corp in June 1946. He was discharged in 1949 and enrolled in Northwestern State College. He graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Gen. Bonsall also got his Master’s degree at the University of Arkansas. Jim was employed by the Morehouse Parish School Board serving as a teacher, principal at East Side Elementary and Supervisor of Administration until he retired in 1974.

Jim was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1952 through the Senior R.O.T.C. program at Northwestern State College. He was the first graduate to receive Flag Rank through the R.O.T.C. program. In 1984 he was inducted into the R.O.T.C. Hall of Fame.

General Bonsall served in the Army Reserves fulfilling several assignments. His final rank before retirement was as Brig. General. He received many decorations and awards. One of his proudest moments was when he was selected to be a part of the Long Purple Line at Northwestern University.  
       
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Herman and a brother-in-law, Herbert Dawkins.

Survivors are his wife, Kathlyn; children, Pamela Hailey, Bobby Bonsall, Ronnie Bonsall and wife Gina; daughter-in-law, Vicki Bonsall; sister-in-law Sue Dawkins; niece Rhonda Melton and husband Glen; grandchildren, Laura Von Krosigk and husband Danny, Felicia Hailey, Alex Bonsall and wife April, Amanda Bonsall, and Katie Bonsall; and great grandchildren, Caleb McClelland, Grace Von Krosigk, Ellie Von Krosigk, Marie Von Krosigk, Jillian Bonsall, Rose Bonsall and Austin Bonsall.

Jim was a member of the Reserve Officer Association, American Legion, U.S. Army War College Alumni Association, Retired Educators Association, and Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

Visitation will be at Golden Funeral Home on Sunday, June 4th from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, June 5th at First Baptist Church of Bastrop at 2 p.m. Interment will follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Jim Bonsall, Alex Bonsall, Caleb McClelland, Danny Von Krosigk, Glen Melton and Mark Robinson.
            
Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, 620 East Madison Avenue, Bastrop, LA 71220 or Northwestern State Demon Regiment, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 71497.