James “Jim” Ray Tickle, Sr. passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at home with his family by his side, in Coffeyville, Kansas
Jim was born on August 21, 1947 in Coffeyville to Henry L. Tickle Sr. and Mary A. (Comstock) Tickle. Jim grew up in rural Coffeyville with his parents and siblings. He attended grade school in Wayside until his parents moved closer to Dearing where he completed his elementary education. He then attended high school in Coffeyville at Field Kindley Memorial High School. Jim attended SEK Vo-Tech and Coffeyville Community College where he received his associate’s degree.
Jim met the love of his life Carol L. Smith and the two were wed in Jim’s grandparents’ home on October 14, 1965. Jim and Carol celebrated 56 years of marriage; of that union the couple raised five children. In their early years of marriage Jim worked at Acme Foundry and part time at Wal-Mart as the stock room manager until he became a full-time employee at Wal-Mart. When the opportunity came to go to work for Funk Manufacturing now known as John Deere he took it returning to his craft of being a machinist until his retirement.
Jim enjoyed playing slow pitch softball as a younger man, bowling, fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening, harvesting pecans, watching the Red Skins play football with his wife by his side. You could often find him on the front porch settin’ watching traffic pass by and watch the grandkids play. He also enjoyed sitting down sharing a good meal with his family and most of all the time they shared together. Jim loved his wife, children and family with all of his heart and he gave his all to provide for them.
Jim surrendered his life to Christ and if he were here today he would tell you it’s never too late for your life to be redeemed.
He is survived by his wife, Carol of the home; children, Johnny Tickle and his wife, Shelia, Donna and her husband Gerry Roberts Sr., Lisa and her husband Gene Mellen, James R. Tickle Jr. and his wife Angela, and Vickie Sutton, grandchildren Angela D Tickle, Traci Long, Matthew Tickle, Trisha Haden, Kenneth Smith, Jennifer Cook, Gerry Roberts Jr, Cody Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Mykel Mellen, Christopher Johnson, Kyler Mellen, Ashlynn Mellen, Ashley Kissel, Amanda Buchanan, Michael Tickle, Samantha Meadows, Sarah Buchanan, Kari Turner, Kristen Sutton, Austin Sutton, numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; siblings, Henry L. Tickle Jr., Albertis Bray, Jack Tickle, Allen Tickle and his wife, Kathy, Ellen McDown and her husband Brian; nieces, nephew, cousins and extended family. In addition to his parent's he was preceded in death by his brother, Luther Tickle.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 11am at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas with Pastor Keith Dodd of Lewark Church of God officiating. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 from 6 to 8pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. To leave an online condolence or share a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
