Jimmy Darrell Atherton's Obituary
Jimmy D. (Jim) Atherton stepped into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday morning, June 3, 2025.
He was born in Wheeler, Texas, on November 3, 1943. At Wheeler High School, Jim excelled in athletics playing football, basketball, baseball, and running track. It was also at Wheeler High School that he met the love of his life, Audie Jo Holdeman. They were high school sweethearts and had a love story like no other. From the time they began dating, Jo's mother always said they were "joined at the hip". For over sixty years their love and commitment has been an inspiration to so many including their three daughters, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. They loved and adored each of their grandchildren and took delight in supporting them in all of their many games, events, and activities.
As Jim pursued their dream of a college degree in the early years of marriage, he held many jobs to support his young family, from working at filling stations to carpet laying. In 1966 Jim began working as an engineering aide at Cabot Corporation. While working full time he completed his bachelor of science degree in mathematics at West Texas State in 1971. Together he and Jo decided he would pursue an additional bachelor's degree in engineering which enabled him to rise through the ranks to become an Estimator, Project Manager, and later Business Development Manager. Jim worked at Cabot for 36 years, also completing an MBA in 1990. During his career, he was instrumental in upgrading Cabot plants in several countries around the world including Brazil, Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, England, India and Canada. In 1995 he was recognized for his leadership in the worldwide Cabot Sales System Sarnia Project.
While Jim's career was a notable part of his life, his priority was being a servant of the Lord and a loving husband and father. Jim served as a deacon, elder, and teacher in Church of Christ congregations wherever they lived. The study of God's Word was a passion for him. He read and studied the scriptures along with commentaries and books in order to better understand and fully live a committed Christian life.
He and Jo loved just being together, playing cards with friends and family, going to the movies, grabbing a coke or a burger, and watching a variety of sports, especially Alabama football and Duke basketball. Their devotion to each other has been a model of the kind of selfless love required by marriage, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.
Jim was a patient, inspiring, and encouraging father. He and Jo built a strong family together for their three girls and made family time a priority. They supported their daughters in any activity they undertook. In addition to enduring off-key notes while their girls were learning clarinet, flute, and saxophone, he and Jo attended all football games solely to watch the band perform in half-time shows. Tracy, in particular, followed in Jim's footsteps as an athlete, and they enjoyed watching her excel in basketball and softball. Through the years he and Jo coached softball teams for all of their daughters. He relished being a "Girl Dad". The investment of time and energy Jim made in each of his daughter's lives resulted in cherished father-daughter bonds and beautiful memories of time spent together.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Jo Atherton; daughters Tonja Stowers (Dennis), Terri Jeffers Joe), Tracy Atherton and bonus daughter Nancy Reynolds; grandchildren Tevor Stowers (Sonia), Teryn Hall (Brodie), Tanna Zach (Chris), Jay Jeffers (Brittney), Emery Jeffers, Michael McLaughlin (Katie), Jenna Sayler (Sam), Lyndsay McLaughlin, Matt Martin, Cate Reynolds, Jane Margaret Reynolds; great-grandchildren Carson Gonzalez, Camdyn Gonzalez, Kennedy Gonzalez, Connor Zach, Bethany Gonzalez and Ezra Gates.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to the Parkinson's Foundation at parkinson.org
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