Athens – Funeral Services for Jim Day, 68, of Athens will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 12:00 P.M. at the Living For the Brand Cowboy Church in Athens with Bro. Robert Webb officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens and will be under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

Mr. Day went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday October 18, 2016 in Tyler.

Jimmie Michael Day was born April 28, 1948 in Athens, Texas the son of Raymond Eugene Day and Mary Odessa Gunnels Day. He married the love of his life Teresa Burton Day on July 5, 1969 at the Central Baptist Church in Athens. Jim was a graduate of Athens ISD, was a member of the last class to graduate from HCJC before it became TVCC, attended East Texas State Univ. in Commerce where he received a Bachelor Degree and then went on to U.T. Tyler to earn his Master’s Degree. Jim was Honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy after serving from 1967-1971 including a tour in Vietnam. He retired as a Senior Training Rep. for Oncor Energy Company after 36 years of service. Mr. Day was a member of First Baptist Church of Malakoff, served as a Deacon and was an Ordained Chaplain and most recently attended Sand Springs Baptist Church. He was a state licensed Master Electrician, residential and commercial, who proudly wired the First Baptist Church in Malakoff and the Central Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. He was a rancher who enjoyed working his cattle and bailing hay. Jim was very active in pre 1840 re-enactment/rendezvous and even held one at his JD SandHill Ranch. He was a lifetime member of Sons of the Confederate Veterans and served as a Chaplain of the Major W.H. Howdy Martin Camp 1241. He and his love traveled all over the United States attending these meetings. He was the Colorado Record Holder for knife throwing distance, the Louisiana State Tomahawk and Knife Champion and threw his knife and tomahawk at a competition in the Alamo. Through all of his accomplishments and involvement Jim remained a truly dedicated family man, loving husband, father and Bear who will be greatly missed by all he knew and loved.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, step father Reagan Dingler, brother Ronnie Day and sister Retha Day Inmon.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years Teresa Day; daughter Nicole and Jeff; son Jonathan and Amanda all of Athens; grandchildren, Jayden, Emma Jo Riley, Emma Ryleigh, Madison, Elizabeth; a host of family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jonathan Day, Jeff Gurley, Jayden Day, Mark Lynd, Darrell Posey and Bill Faulk. Honorary pallbearers will be the Sons of the Confederate Veteran’s Major W.H. Howdy Martin Camp 1241.

Visitation will be held from 10-11:30 A.M., Friday, October 21, 2016 at the Living for the Brand Cowboy Church in Athens.

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