Jim grew up on Stewart Street in Chickamauga, close to the cotton mill. He roamed the beautiful Chickamauga National Battlefield, which was in his backyard. He attended Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga, where he played football.
He worked in the cotton mill for a short time, where most of his family had worked for many years, but he had a “notion” to travel and see the country. Jim spent time living and working at Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, the home of country entertainer Loretta Lynn. He competed in her rodeo company riding bare back horses and bulls for about 2 years. Jim always gave credit to Loretta’s husband, “Mooney”, for “straightening him out”. He and Loretta were true mentors to Jim. Mooney got him a job with a telephone contractor building telephone lines through the hills of Tennessee, which started his over fifty-year career in the telephone industry.
Jim and Kathy were married in March of 1973, and continued to travel while contracting. Julie was born in Texas in 1979 while Jim worked for a telephone company. The family moved to Osceola, Iowa in 1980. After being laid off in 1983, Jim went to work for the State of Iowa as an Engineering Technician. He spent the next twenty-five years working for the state-of-the-art Iowa Communications Network. During that time, he liked to stay “busy” with many second jobs, including: ambulance driver and EMT, Clarke County Sheriff’s department dispatcher, handyman for a real estate company, a Security Supervisor at Vet’s Auditorium in Des Moines and high school volleyball and softball umpire, and was appointed to the City of Osceola, Ia Parks Board and Water Board. He was a long-time member of the Clarke County Sheriff’s Posse. Jim dabbled in professional acting by getting a bit part in one movie and making two television commercials.
After retiring from the State of Iowa in 2008, Jim and Kathy relocated to Raymore, MO to be closer to their new granddaughter, Anna. Jim then worked for FEMA for four years doing disaster recovery all over the United States. Throughout his life he was an avid fisherman, fly tier, and artist. Following his retirement from FEMA he concentrated on his art. Jim served two terms on the Raymore Arts Commission and was instrumental in bringing projects and learning opportunities to the citizens of the city.
He faithfully attended Blue River Bible Church in Kansas City, MO, where he served on the Safety team and was a greeter. He was very concerned that everyone had a bulletin for every service. He was loved by the other members of the safety team and will be missed by all.
Services will be held at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083 on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Jim will then be laid to rest at Raymore Cemetery in Raymore, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be give to the Blue River Bible Church Missionaries. Mail a check to 15608 Fairchild Dr., Kansas City, Missouri 64147 or donate online at www.blueriverbiblechurch.org/give
