A graveside service for James Lee (Jim) Athey, 82, will be Friday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 6 between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Jim passed from this life into eternal life Monday, September 26, 2022, at his home in Eudora Kansas.
Jim was born on a farm in Baldwin, Kansas, October 10, 1939, to Harve and Olive Athey. He graduated from Baldwin High School in 1959.
Soon after High School, while working for a local appliance store, Jim trained as a repair technician at the Maytag Corporation in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1983 Jim turned his aptitude for fixing things into Athey Appliance Repair and spent the next 30+ years repairing household appliances for customers throughout Douglas County. In the interim, Jim’s other jobs included working at the Lawrence Box Factory, installing wiring in pipe organs at Reuter Organ Company, and distributing baked goods to area IGA stores in Lawrence.
Jim was a faithful Christian who loved the Lord, his family, the church. As a deacon at Southside Church of Christ, he put his heart into planning and setting up dinners for church potlucks, retreats, and other church events. Jim also occasionally led singing.
Jim loved life and he touched those around him with his energetic nature. He had a strong work ethic and resolved daily to focus on the positive aspects of life. He lit up the room with his smile.
Jim was most relaxed when spending time outdoors. His favorite pastime was fishing, and he enjoyed inviting others to go with him. Jim’s enjoyment of cooking shone through the flavor of fried fish dinners he shared with his family and those he and Joyce invited to their home, and fruit pies he shared at church potlucks. When it was too cold to fish, he spent evenings tying flies for fly fishing. Jim also enjoyed tending his garden and photographing Kansas plants and wildlife.
Jim married Linda (Joyce) Smith on November 20, 1962. Jim and Joyce were married 54 years until her death on February 21, 2017.
Jim was also preceded in death by his parents, Harve and Olive, sister, Norma Walburn, brother, Jesse Athey, and his eldest granddaughter, Lisa Dawn Athey. He is survived by daughter, Alexia Maben (Paul), son, Shawn Athey (Melissa), and daughter, Gwen Mallot (Bill). He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Tarpy, grandchildren: Tabitha, Diana, Jessica, Collyn, Alexis, and Darrell, and his dog, Tyke.
Memorial contributions may be made to Douglas County Meals on Wheels or Southside Church of Christ, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.
Mr. Athey was the only repairman I ever trusted to come in my house and repair my appliances when I was gone to work. I never called him until I was dressed and ready for him to be there in 15 minutes!!! I bragged about his repairing ability to everyone I knew!!! I miss him!!!
Jim was always a cheerful, helpful person and we enjoyed his repair skills as well as his company. I first met him at Southside in the early 60s, when he and Joyce began dating! Charley and I have been blessed by his friendship for many years. We are sorry for your loss, yet so glad he is at home with his Lord.
I worked with Jimmy at Reuter in 1979 and remember him well. I knew him as a hard worker and very nice guy. Sorry for your loss.
I am sorry for the loss to this family. Jim was a good friend and a part of the Senior Saints group at church. He was always cheerful and always had a positive attitude.
Mr. Athey was such a kind man. He was so nice to us as young homeowners with no money and fixed our old dryer up, good as new. Our condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
I first meet Jim and his family over 40 years ago when I started working at the Reuter Organ Company. He invited me over to spend my first Thanksgiving with his family since I had just moved to Lawrence. This exemplified the friendly and caring nature of Jim and his dedication to his work and family. He will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Chris and I, and the EHS Class of 1984, will give a donation to Southside Church of Christ in memory of your father and grandfather.
I have good memories of Jim as my go to repair guy for many years.His obit describes him well as I experienced.. a cheerful heart, skilled in his trade and, overall, a man who cared about being fair and giving his best. May he rest well.
Shawn and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I still have memories of a fishing trip or two with you and our dads when we were kids. Thinking of you.
I’m so sorry to hear about James. I loved driving him to the grocery store every Wednesday. He was always giving me good laughs. I will miss him.Comfort and peace to the family.