James R. "Jim" Atkinson

James Robert “Jim” Atkinson, age 96, of Newburgh, IN, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Primrose Retirement Community.

Jim was born December 3, 1925, in Como, Mississippi, to Jesse Mortimer Atkinson and Patsy Morrow Hudspeth Atkinson.  The second youngest of nine children, Jim grew up in north Mississippi during The Great Depression.  He was a proud World War II veteran, serving in the US Marine Corps from 1943-1946.  During his time in the service, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Midway, and Guam. 

Jim had a lifelong passion for baseball.  He began following the St. Louis Cardinals Gashouse Gang on the radio with his mother in 1934, which led to baseball being a big part of his life.  Jim excelled at the sport, lettering at Memphis University in 1950 and playing professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals organization. 

Jim enjoyed a long career in the oil business, first with American Oil for 13 years, and then another 27 years with the Murphy Oil Corporation.  His work and life took him to Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, and then Georgia. Jim was an active church member, both at Mountain Park United Methodist Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and Methodist Temple in Evansville, where he co-founded SAM’s (Senior Adult Ministry) and was named Man of the Year.

He enjoyed doing yard work, fishing, Braves baseball, and Ole Miss football, not necessarily in that order.  Most of all, he loved being with his family.

Jim is survived by two daughters, Stacey Hebebrand and Kate Russell; his son, Jamie Atkinson, and grandchildren, Nick Hebebrand, Zach Hebebrand, Jake Hebebrand, Brodie Atkinson, and Ewan Atkinson.  

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Patsy Atkinson; his wife, Becky (Norris) Atkinson, his first wife, Carolyn Atkinson; daughter, Susan Atkinson; son, Timothy Atkinson; sisters, Beulah Brewington, Letha Atkinson, Bessie Lou Garner, Pearl Irby, Jesse Rollings; brothers, Aubrey, Guy and Steve Atkinson.

Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 29, 2022, at Methodist Temple UMC, 2109 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN with Pastor Andy Payton officiating. A Live Stream will be available beginning twenty minutes prior to the service time. Please visit www.boonefuneralhome.net, select your loved one’s obituary, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Live Stream. Burial will be in Eternal Hills Memorial Gardens in Snellville, GA. 

Friends may visit from 1:00-2:00 p.m. until service time, Friday, April 29, 2022, at Methodist Temple UMC.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Semper Fi & America’s Fund at
825 College Blvd, Suite 102 • PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 or by visiting: https://semperfifund.org/donate/

Arrangements are being handled by Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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