James Walter Eatherly (93) of Nashville Tennessee passed away Saturday August 24, 2024. James (Jim) was born on March 9th, 1931 to Lucille Page Eatherly and Eatherly Stone Eatherly. Jim was the sixth of seven boys in his family.
Jim graduated from Smith County High School in Carthage Tennessee in 1949. In high school Jim was the president of his class both junior and senior years and also played football. He went on to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he graduated in 1953. During his time at University of Tennessee he was in the ROTC and a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
The summer between his sophomore and junior year of college, Jim and a friend drove to Colorado and it was in Estes Park where he met Astrid Marion Nelson. He always said he was drawn to this “Swedish” beauty and almost instantly knew she was the one. When he returned to Tennessee the two stayed in contact through letters, phone calls and an occasional visit. The two were married February 7,1954. Soon after,
Jim was called to serve as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army. He would be stationed in Augsburg Germany with Astrid by his side. While in Germany they welcomed Linda the first of five children.
After Jim’s honorable discharge from the Army, Jim, Astrid and Linda moved back to Colorado for a short time. They also lived in various towns in west Texas, where Jim learned to run a ditch digger and install water lines for Gifford Hill. Eventually, Jim and Astrid saved and he borrowed some money from one of his uncle’s in order buy his first of many ditch diggers.
In 1957, the family moved to Garden City, Kansas where he would start Eatherly Inc. and Delta Supply, which would later became Eatherly Constructors Inc. In Garden City, Jim not only grew his business but also his family. Linda was joined by Susan, Robert (Bob), Julie and Amy. Jim and Astrid lived in Garden City for over 40 wonderful years.
In addition to running a success business, he also enjoyed traveling the world. Jim and Astrid took numerous trips to Australia, Africa, China, Russia, Tokyo, Sweden, South America and Italy just to mention a few.
In 2001Jim and Astrid moved to Southlake Texas to be closer to family. Jim and Astrid were happily married for 60 years until Astrid’s passing on July 5, 2014. After her death, Jim moved to Kansas City and then spent the last few years of his life in Nashville. Tennessee.
Any one who knew Jim could, and would, say he was a “character”. As a child he convinced his family that his birthday was “really” March 7th instead of March 9th, so he could get his present before his brother Pat, whose birthday was March 8th. For most of his life, Jim celebrated his birthday on the 7th although his family enjoyed celebrating with him on both days.
Jim was always quick with a joke or two. His sayings were clever and classic and they will be etched in the memories of family and friends. Everyone who knew Jim also knew to head to the fridge when they were asked, “what am I a camel?” Jim was known as “the candyman” in his assisted living community in Kansas City. He kept his refrigerator packed with candy. He enjoyed handing it out and sometimes even throwing it at the resident and guest alike. Giving out candy might have been his way to make up for some for his “not so savory” jokes.
Jim was the last of the seven Eatherly brothers to pass. His brothers were John, Eddie, Pat, Bob, George and Anthony. Jim was also preceded in death by his lovey wife, Astrid, and his daughter, Linda (Lynn) Duebendorfer.
He is survived by his daughter Susan West, grandson Zach West (Erin), and great grandchildren: Harrison and Hanna. Granddaughter Katie (Chris), and great grandchildren: Sebastian and Luciana. His son, Robert “Bob” Eatherly (Laura), grandson Carter (Sarah), and great-grandchildren: Carter James “CJ” and Violet, grandson Christian, granddaughter Catherine Strickland (Matthew) and granddaughter Caroline. His daughter, Julie Soldner (Steve), granddaughter Stephanie Powers (Kevin), great granddaughters: Allison “Allie” an Ava, grandson Austin Soldner (Devany) and great-grandsons: August and Stetson, Granddaughter Regan. Daughter Amy Walleck (Sean), grandsons Bennett and Dawson. Granddaughter Lindsay Duebendorfer (Erik Dixon), great granddaughter Olivia “Livy”Dixon.
The family will hold a private service in Southlake Texas in October where Jim will be laid to rest next to his beloved Astrid.
Jim was dearly loved and will be truly will be missed. Gone, but never forgotten.
Memorial donations in Jim’s honor can be made to Tunnels to Towers
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