James Atchley's Obituary
James H. “Jim” Atchley of Bridgeton, MO, passed away on May 2, 2023, at the age of 74. Jim was the loving husband of 51 years of Beverly L. (Brazle) Atchley, proud father of Nicholas “Nick” (Julie) Atchley, Hilary (Dan) Licata, and Allison “Allie” Atchley, and doting grandpa to Annie Madison, Luke James, and Alexander Nicholas Atchley and Noah Daniel Licata. He was a sometimes irritating brother to Patrick (Verlann) Atchley and brother-in-law, Wayne (Jacquie) Brazle. He was “Uncle Jim” to nephews: Chris, Brian and Jonathon and nieces: Megan “Meggie”, Sarah, Loren, and Jami and 14 great-nephews and nieces. He was a second dad to many of the teenagers who filtered into his home with his kids.
Jim was born on December 27, 1948, in Vandalia, IL, to the late Barbara Loyd Atchley and James H. Atchley. He graduated from Vandalia Community High School with the class of ’67. After taking a semester off (much to his mom’s dismay) to travel on his motorcycle, he attended SIU, Carbondale, with the intention of majoring in aviation technology. That idea flew out the window when he figured out he got air sick every time he went up in an airplane so he graduated in March of 1972 with a BS in psychology. The day after his last exam, he showed up at the church and married his bride on March 18, 1972.
Beginning his work career early by mowing lawns, Jim was very proud that he earned $2 a yard. No job was too menial for him to undertake-lifeguard, janitor, construction. After working with the IRS for a few years, Jim decided that was not the career path that he wanted to follow. Along with his wife and the bank, he returned home to buy The Sports Shop in Vandalia, IL, in 1977 and operated it until 1983. A move to St. Louis was the beginning of his career in insurance. Jim began at GAB as an adjuster and finished his career as a claims consultant at Crane Agency. He was a reader of the fine print, analyzer of the legal issues, and negotiator of the best settlement for his company.
There was not a home project that he would not undertake-electricity, plumbing, drywall, construction. He was a project guy-adding an addition to his house, working on John Deere lawn tractors, and building Murphy beds for his grandkids. Riding Amtrak was one of his favorite pastimes, especially when his cousin, Cyndi, was along. He rode the rails from coast to coast, border to border.
Jim’s greatest claim to fame was his cooking and meat smoking skills. His wife acquiesced the cooking to Jim early in their marriage because he would look over her shoulder whatever she was cooking. He started smoking meat in an old refrigerator in the 70s and gradually graduated to the bigger and better smokers. His Christmas smoked turkeys were enjoyed by many friends and coworkers.
Family was so important to Jim. He went on many Scout outings with Nick, carpooled to practices and rehearsals, and made the best hot chocolate for the band at cold football games. Fashion was not his greatest strength and it was most apparent when he dressed the girls. He turned over the job of matching his ties to his shirts to his daughters when they were in preschool.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother-Barbara Loyd Atchley, father-James H. Atchley, mother-in-law-Malinda Brazle Perry, father-in-law-Loren E. Brazle, step-father-in-law-Harry “Dick” Perry and beloved aunt-Kay Smith.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 12:00 noon, with a visitation from 10 am-12, at Collier’s Funeral Home, 3400 North Lindbergh Blvd., Saint Ann, MO. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held Sunday, June 4, Noon – 4 pm, Charters Patio, Vandalia, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gift of Life- www.giftdonor.org or the National Kidney Foundation, 1001 Craig Road, St. Louis, MO 63146, to honor the gift of the kidney he received 9 years ago.
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