James “Jim” Dennis Joy Sr., beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at the Colonial Acres Nursing Home in Humboldt. We were blessed to have him with us for 82 years. Jim was born on March 20, 1942, at the family home in Stella, Nebraska, to John “Jack” Derward Joy Sr. and Gertrude Elizabeth (Miller) Joy. He grew up playing sports and working at the family farm with his brothers, Jack and Jerry and his uncles Harold and Howard Miller, whom Jack and Gerty raised after their mother passed away during childbirth. Jim attended Shubert High School where he excelled as a student and athlete. He played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track. Jim was Valedictorian of the Shubert High School Class of 1960 and received an Academic Scholarship to Peru State College.
On June 12, 1960, Jim married Marcia Morehead. To this union three children, Mark, Denny, and Jackie were born. Then couple later divorced after 23 years of marriage. Jim worked at Missouri Beef Packers, farmed North of Shubert, drove a school bus at the Southeast Consolidated Schools, worked at the Copper Mines in Silver City, New Mexico, and drove a truck for Eoff and Associates in Springfield, Missouri for 20 years before his retirement. He was well respected for his work ethic, dependability, and loyalty. Jim loved watching sports on television and in person. He would watch almost any sporting event and was a passionate Nebraska Cornhusker fan, rarely missed a game.
Jim was a quiet man, but he laughed easy and he loved to joke. He was kind, humble, and hard working. Jim was loved by animals and children, he seemed to always have a dog, grandchild, or great-grandchild following him around. He was loved deeply by his family and will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents John “Jack” Derward and Gertrude Joy, Sr., brother, Jack Joy Jr., uncles Harold Miller and Howard Miller, and son, James Dennis Joy Jr.
Jim is survived by his son, Mark Joy and wife Susan of Humboldt, NE; daughter, Jackie Joy-Eoff and husband DuWayne of Springfield, MO; brother Jerry Joy and wife Christina, and sister-in-law Yvonne Joy all of Stella, NE; grandchildren: Blake Joy and wife Amber, Lyndsay (Joy) Eisenbise and husband Jacob, Cory Joy and wife Constance, Spenser Joy and wife Kim, Marshall Joy and wife Erica, Sierra (Joy) Hayes and husband Tyler, Aaron Eoff and wife Jennifer, Abbey (Eoff) Thomas and husband Gregory, Aundria Eoff-Mcleay and husband Matt, great-grandchildren: Maddux Joy, Brinlee Joy, Preslie Lira, Paytin Peck, Phiefer Peck, Josie Joy, Jack Joy, Maxwell Joy, Emersyn Joy, Joselyn Joy, Myles Joy, Micah Joy, Hudson Hayes, Aiden Eoff, Anderson Eoff, Leah Thomas, and James Thomas.
Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024, at the Prairie Union Cemetery, rural Shubert, Nebraska with Pastor Howard Blecha officiating.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Wherry Mortuary, 207 N. Nemaha street in Humboldt, Nebraska. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.
Memorials contributions can be made to the Southeast Nebraska Cancer Garden in Humboldt, Nebraska.
Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.
Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha ST-Humboldt, Nebraska 68376 (402) 862-2915.
