James Gregory Steakley

James Gregory Steakley, 87, of Pulaski, Tennessee, passed away Monday, January 5th, in Lewisburg, Tennessee, doing what he loved. Known formally as James, “Jimmy” to his family, and “Jim” to his friends and coworkers, he lived a life marked by hard work, adventure, humor, and unwavering faith. Jimmy was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on December 23, 1938. He resided in Huntsville for many years until he moved his family to Pulaski, TN, in 1987. Jim worked as a contracted Aeronautics Designing Engineer, which allowed him to travel and live in a variety of states over the years, where he met many of his friends over his longtime career. After a government shutdown forced an end to many jobs, Jim decided that he couldn’t just retire and took on another love, traveling the U.S. as a truck driver. He “attempted” to retire twice but just couldn’t sit still. He recently went back to work at the age of 86 for South East Carriers in Lawrenceburg, TN, where he was proudly nicknamed “The Legend” as his co-workers couldn’t believe his spry energy at his age. He started his first job as a paper boy for the Huntsville Times at the age of 8 or 9. One favorite story is that his dad realized he was missing one night and decided to go looking for him. He found him “sleep riding” on his bike, throwing pretend newspapers over his shoulder. He found him later, curled up in a ball, sleeping at an empty building. At the age of 13, Jim worked as an usher at the Lyric Movie Theatre in downtown Huntsville, Alabama, and continued on as a car-hop at the local drive-in. He also shared many stories of being a “star” football player, in which he had hopes of becoming a professional ball player for Alabama until a leg injury ended his dream. Jimmy wanted so badly to serve his country. After his mother reminded him that he wasn’t old enough, he did what Jim did….he made a way. He forged his cousin's name on the paperwork and actually got in. Needless to say, when his mother found out, that ended quickly. When of legal age, Jim rejoined the military, where he proudly became a paratrooper. He worked on many accomplished projects over the years as a designing engineer that he was very proud of as in working on Air Force One, the Apache Helicopter, the Corvette XP-819, and even a Space Shuttle. Though he loved to work, he never brought his work home. When Jim arrived home, he was a husband and a dad to his girls, wholeheartedly. Jimmy was a die-hard Alabama fan and a car enthusiast. You would never have a conversation with him when one or the other wasn’t talked about. Jim made the most important decision of his life when he gave his heart to the Lord in October 1988 and served him until he took his last breath.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Louise McElyea Steakley Armstrong; dad, Floyd Lawrence Dodson; adopted father, Wheeler Ben “Barton” Steakley; and half-sister, Jane Dodson Holman.

Jim is survived by the love of his life of 52 years, Stella; daughters, Karla Steakley, Stacy (Travis) Thomas, and Tandy (Andy) Mayo; three grandchildren, Chesley, Camden and Blythe Thomas; four step-grandchildren, Anne Marie, Mary, Tucker and Hogan Mayo; and three half-sisters, Faye Beard, Candy Glover and Sue Jones.

Visitation will be Saturday, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with Services beginning at 12:00 PM at Pulaski Holiness Church with Bro. Don Hornbuckle, Bro. Paul Stover, Bro. Mark Teet officiating and a tribute by Bro. Wayne Walls and Ricky Daniels.

Interment will be in Green Valley Cemetery in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, with special prayer by Bro. Ricky Hyatt.