James "Jim" Clifford Wales

James (Jim) Wales

James (Jim) Clifford Wales, 83, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2023, at home, surrounded by family. 

                He was born in Cleveland on October 28, 1939, to the late James William Wales and Roberta Lee Wales.  He served his country in the Army’s 101^st Airborne Division and the Military Police.  Upon discharge, he joined the Tennessee National Guard and was a marksman on its High-Powered Rifle Team.  Later, he was a Lieutenant in the Civil Defense Rescue Squad.  He also served as a Reserve Deputy with the Tenth Judicial Drug Task Force for many years.  Jim felt it was his mission in this position to fight the devastating effects caused by drugs.  He worked as a fisheries technician with the Tennessee Valley Authority on its reservoir fish sampling crew.  He retired from the Cleveland Natural Gas Company as a supervisor after 32 years of service. 

                Jim was an outdoorsman who passed his love of fishing, hunting, and camping to his children.  He enjoyed long hikes, picnics, and drives in the mountains with his family, especially in Reliance, TN. 

                His passion was his family.  He enjoyed spending time with his best friend, Jimmy Smith.  He also appreciated maintaining his special relationship with childhood friend, Bobby Tatum. 

                He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gary Wales, his sister, Barbara Madden and her husband, Elmer, and his niece, Deborah Madden.  

                Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Regeania (Geana) Kimsey Wales; his daughters, Keri Wales Evanyk (Dewayne); Amy Wales (Evan Crews); bonus daughter, Crystal Money (Robert); and one very special grandson, Ryne Williams; chosen granddaughters, LeAnn Davis (his best buddy), and Emilee Davis; a loving nephew, Brian Madden (Sebrina) and their children, Cara and Jacob, of South Carolina; step-grandsons, Derrik and Kyle Evanyk; great granddaughter, Ezrah Evanyk; brother-in-law, Gary Kimsey (Sue); sisters-in-law, Gayla Johnson (Jerry), and Pam Stripling, as well as many cousins, extended family members, and friends. 

                Jim attended South Cleveland Church of God with his family.  The family suggests memorials be made to the South Cleveland Church of God, 1846 Volunteer Drive, Cleveland, TN 37311, to be used to fund the 180 Center, it’s ministry to men seeking recovery from addiction. 

                A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Bowers officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow at Fort Hill Cemetery with Gary Kimsey, Ryne Williams, Brian Madden, Evan Crews, Dewayne Evanyk, and Sherman Stephens serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony, and the playing of bagpipes will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.