Jimmy Dale Jessee, 77, Hope

Jimmy Dale Jessee, 77, of Hope, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Independence Village of Columbus.

Born September 6, 1947 in Breeding, KY he was the son of Robert E. and Veola England Jessee.  He married Connie Sue Weinantz May 7, 1977 and she preceded him in death July 15, 2021.

Jim was a member of First Baptist Church of Hope.

He served in the U.S. Army.

Jim is survived by children, Kevin (Tara) Jessee of Edinburgh and Melinda Jessee Barriger of Columbus; grandchildren, Rilee, Regann, Ryker and Ryston Jessee of Edinburgh and Maylee, Addyson, Jake, Nate, Ryan and Yogi Barriger of Columbus and a brother, Darrell (Mae) Jessee of Hope.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Loetta Mae Jessee.

Visitation for Jim will be Wednesday June 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Norman Funeral Home in Hope.  His funeral will be Thursday June 26 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Hawcreek Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be donated to Hauser High School Varsity/ JV Basketball Team through the funeral home.

Jim wore many hats in his lifetime- husband, son, dad, brother, coach, neighbor, Papaw- but perhaps the one that suited him best was “fan.” 

A proud graduate and lifelong supporter of Hauser, he never missed an opportunity to cheer on a team- especially if it involved one of his kids or grandkids.  If there was a stadium seat or a folding chair, you could count on Jim to be in it, hollering encouragement (or commentary) with that unmistakable voice of his.

Jim was deeply rooted in the hills and hollers of Kentucky, where he learned the art of stretching a penny- but still never hesitated to share a dollar.  That balance of grit and generosity followed him all his life.  Jim could come off gruff at first, but those who knew him best recognized the gold beneath the gravel- loyal to a fault, fiercely loving, and tender in the most unexpected ways.

Jim was pivotal in building the Hope Summer Playground and spent years umpiring ballgames, coaching his son’s Little League teams and later, Hauser boy’s basketball.  He celebrated every win, but never forgot that the players mattered more than the scoreboard.  He cheered just as proudly from the stands as his daughter carved out her own impressive basketball career.  And when the next generation arrived, his voice was once again heard across fields and gyms, cheering on the grandkids he adored.

Off the court Jim was a man of quiet rituals.  He loved going out to eat with his wife- his favorite dinner date until the end.  He played cards with buddies and swapped small town news with his brother like it was breaking national headlines, their own personal rooster club.  He had a soft spot for a good garden, a classic Western, and anything Andy Griffith.  And he never kept a car long enough to bother with new tires- life was too short to stay in the same ride.

Jim didn’t say “I love you” all the time, but he showed it- in his loyalty, his presence, his stubborn care. He was the kind of man who showed up early and stayed late, and always knew where the duct tape was.

Jim will be missed terribly- but the bleachers feel a little fuller just knowing his spirit is still there, rooting for us all.