James Lewis Shockley, 85, loving father and grandfather, died peacefully on Nov. 26, 2022. He is survived by his wife Barbara E. (Dickey) Shockley, his daughters Jennefer Pursifull, Jodine (Douglas) Staebler, Judy (Jeffrey) Schwartz, his son Jeff (Abby) Shockley, his brothers William A. (Cathy) Shockley, and David G. (Shirley) Shockley, and his grandchildren Austin Pursifull, Carson (Jake) Pursifull, Samuel (Abigail) Staebler, Luke Staebler, James Cooper Shockley, Grace Shockley, and Ella Schwartz. He was preceded in death by his parents James Paul and Evelyn (Lewis) Shockley, his sister Gladys Ann Shockley, his grandson Barrett Pursifull, and his son-in-law Eugene Pursifull.
Jim was born Aug. 13, 1937 in Matthews, Indiana. He grew up in the Matthews and Upland, Indiana area. He joined the United States Navy in July, 1955 and served as a photographer for the Atlantic Fleet Camera Party out of Norfolk, Virginia. He was discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1958. Following military service, Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Huntington College. He married Barbara E. Dickey on April 30, 1960, and they were married 62 years before his death.
After teaching school for two years, Jim joined Proctor and Gamble as a sales representative for packaged soaps. He was with P&G for over 30 years prior to his retirement in 1995. The products he represented included all of P&G’s laundry soap products including Tide which led to his nickname, “Tideman”. He followed Nascar racing especially the Tide Racing Team. Jim was also an avid golfer, with 3 Hole-In Ones in his lifetime. He enjoyed many days on the course.
Known for his humor and wit, Jim loved spending time with family and friends. He always enjoyed meeting new people. In addition, Jim spent many years in community service. He coached Pony League baseball, worked in county politics, involved in leadership at the First Presbyterian Church, and served on the board of Huntington Memorial Hospital.
Visitation will be from 3 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at Bailey-Love Mortuary. Services will be conducted by Pastor John Beehler of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntington. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Preferred memorials may be made in memory of James to the VFW # 2689, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN, 46750.
Please sign the online guest book at www.baileylove.com.
Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of James Lewis Shockley.
