James Albert Courtney

James Albert Courtney, 87, passed away on September 29, 2024. Born in Evansville, Indiana in 1936, Jim lived a life of adventure, grit, humor, and generosity.

Raised in the foster care system, Jim developed a fiercely independent spirit early on, often crossing state lines as a mischievous kid to visit family or friends. As an adult, he dedicated 40 years to the construction industry, beginning as a bricklayer and working his way up to the role of project manager. Jim was a man of many talents. In addition to his long career in construction, he worked for FEMA for decades, and was an avid pilot, dedicated soccer coach (and later referee), and a collector of everything from model airplanes to obscure tools. He could recite building codes verbatim, debate every nuance of a soccer rulebook, and explain the science behind just about any natural disaster.

Jim was a jokester, storyteller, and walking encyclopedia. He found joy in the little things, drifting off to classical music in his favorite recliner, laughing until he cried while telling his favorite Burger King joke, and playing spirited games of dining room table ping pong with his grandkids. He was ridiculously frugal but abundantly generous. Stubborn as they come, but soft where it mattered most. Friends and family often joked that Jim had nine lives, whether he was falling down a flight of stairs having only spilling his coffee, tumbling down a steep ski run with his gear flying, diving sideways to avoid a metal bar shooting through his windshield, or tucking and rolling out of a parking lot fall, Jim somehow always found a way to land on his feet. In his final days, Jim found peace in his favorite chair, watching John Wayne westerns, lovingly cared for by his wife, Kathy.

Jim was preceded in death by his son, Clint Courtney. He is survived by his devoted wife, Kathy Courtney, of 54 years; his children, James Clark Courtney, Dawn Courtney, Robert Courtney, James J. Courtney, and Jennifer Courtney; and his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who will forever remember his laughter and love.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's memory to the Dementia Society of America.