James Edward "Jim" Jana

James Edward "Jim" Jana, age 71, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, in Villa Rica, Georgia.

Jim was born on September 8, 1954, in Miami, Florida, to the late George James Jana and Lorrenze Adams Jana. He grew up in a close and loving family of seven, the third of five children. The Jana household was full of laughter, adventure, and togetherness from weekend camping trips and summer vacations out West to family visits in Riverdale, Georgia. As a boy, Jim was active in the Boy Scouts and later became a talented AAU swimmer, competing in both swimming and water polo for many years. He attended Hialeah High School, where he swam on the team, and later continued his studies at Miami Dade College.

Jim had an easygoing spirit and a great love for life. He enjoyed music and never missed a good concert, loved to drive just for the joy of it, and could tell you just about anything about cars, sports, or movies. His sharp memory and quick wit made him a trivia champ wherever he went if there was a game, Jim was likely the one walking away with the win.

He worked for almost twenty years with the City of Atlanta Water Treatment Facility, where he was valued for both his hard work and his kind nature. His coworkers became like family, and it was with great sadness that he retired when his health required him to do so.Jim will be remembered most for his generous heart and gentle soul. He was a giver always ready to help others, to share a laugh, or to offer a kind word. His favorite restaurants knew him by name, and his friends and family will forever remember his warmth and the light he brought into their lives.

He is survived by his sisters: Georgia (Tom) Buckman and their children Kenneth and child Skyland, Thomas, and Tara and her children Chantz and Keirstin, Diane Keefe and her children Michael and Christine their father Rick, Judy (Larry) Smith and their sons, Dustin and Christopher (Jeanne), along with their children Lily (Jack) and their three children, Iris, and Daniel; and Nancy (David) Horton and their children Jana (Ryan) Unterreiner, Zane Colby, and Wakelyn Unterreiner.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, George James Jana (1995) and Lorrenze Adams Jana (2001) and nephew Bryan Horton (1988).

Jim's kind heart, quick wit, and love for family will live on in the many lives he touched. He will deeply be missed but never forgotten.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at J. Collins Funeral Home.

Memorial Service will be conducted Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM from the Chapel of J. Collins Funeral Home.

To send condolences to the family, visit our website at www.jcollinsfuneralhome.com

J. Collins Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Villa Rica is in charge of arrangements.