James Everett “Jim” Blakley, 82, of Taylorville, was called home to be with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, on March 14, 2025, at 12:05 pm, after a struggle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. He was in his home surrounded by family at the time of his passing. Jim was born on March 30, 1942, to Everett Kimball and Anna Blakley (Love) in Taylorville. To friends and family, he was also known as “Big Jim”, “Chief”, and “Bear.”
Jim graduated from Taylorville High School in 1960. During his time at THS, he played football, enjoyed Sterling Young’s Shop Class, FFA, and the Aristocrat Car Club. When he wasn’t working at Gilbert Large Chevrolet, he loved working on race cars with George McQuire and Bill Lancaster. Later, he could often be found at Hoelting Produce, helping Gerald unload produce, stock shelves, and fill orders. After graduation, he started an apprenticeship at Ken’s Refrigeration, where he worked as an HVAC&R technician, before briefly working for the Christian County Highway Department and Wareham’s Dairy.
He met Linda Jo Davis in 1963, while running a service call in the office where she worked. He proposed later that year, and the two were married on March 28,1964, at the Moweaqua Christian Church.
In 1985, Jim, Linda, and their son, Jim E, started Blakley Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing, which celebrated its 40th anniversary on January 19, 2025. Jim also loved working with his father-in-law and brother-in-law, Joe and Terry Davis on the farm near Millersville.
Jim was a member of the Taylorville Evangelical Free Church, where he served as a deacon and was involved in many committees over the years. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and family, and was involved with local organizations such as the Christian County 4-H program and the Christian County Historical Museum. The family made trips to Kentucky with the John Morrison Appalachia Group to deliver food, clothing, blankets, toys and other goods to southwestern Kentucky. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, he volunteered to deliver relief items to New Orleans.
After retirement, Jim enjoyed spending time at Lake Shore Golf Course, where he helped organize the weekly Senior Scramble tournaments, caught up with old friends over McDonald’s breakfast, and watched construction projects around town. He also enjoyed meeting with his children and grandchildren for lunch.
Jim was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was present for every game, science fair, birthday, graduation, and event in the lives of his children and grandchildren, no matter how small. His grandchildren looked forward to McDonald’s breakfast trips, outings to Lakeshore Golf Course, and annual summer vacations. The family also opened their home to two foreign exchange students, Diana Adamietz (Birkholz) of Germany and Vibeke Veppler Andersen of Denmark, to whom he was known as “Dad #2.”
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Elizabeth Ann Mullin and Barbara Jean Blakley, and his brother-in-law, James Mullin.
He is survived by his wife of over sixty years, Linda Jo Blakley (Davis), as well as their three children and their spouses: James “Jim E” Blakley (Kim), Cyndi Richards (Brian), and Christy Hunt (Tony), all of Taylorville. He also leaves behind his nine grandchildren: Noah Blakley, Alli Letcher (Tristan), Grace Simmons (Eli), Joel Blakley (Grace), Claire Hunt, Macy Richards, Isaac Blakley, Kelsie Hunt, and Isabelle Hunt. He is also missed by his four-legged friend, Mollie B.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Lake Shore Golf Course Banquet Room in Taylorville, on March 30, 2025, on what would have been his 83rd Birthday, from 2-4pm. There will be a Eulogy at 3:30 pm. Memorials may be made to Taylorville Evangelical Free Church, the Christian County Historical Museum, or a favorite local charity.
