James Wise

Mr. James O. "Jim" Wise, 78, of Eagle Drive passed away peacefully Friday, August 22, 2008 in the Edgewood Estates Nursing Home in Frenchburg.

He was born in Estill County, Kentucky on January 21, 1930, a son of the late Elva Wise and Mary Frances Clark Wise.

Jim was educated in the Estill County Schools and attended Irvine High School and the University of Kentucky. He was an active member of Baxter Tennessee United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Morehead.

Mr. Wise began his career in Central and Eastern Kentucky as a sales representative for Surge Dairy Systems. He was an electrician and master plumber in Dayton, Ohio for the duration of his career. Upon retirement, he and his wife, Jane Teager Wise were the proprietors of Hummingbird Hill Bed and Breakfast in Center Hill Lake, Tennessee until 1998. They "retired" again to Morehead and he built their home on the 17th green of Eagle Trace Golf Course.

Jim was an adventurer, sportsman and humanitarian having volunteered much time to his church, Habitat for Humanity, his community and friends. He was a Kentucky Colonel and had been a Gunner in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. One of his proudest accomplishments was climbing Mt. Fujiama in Japan. He treasured the environment and assisted in cleanups of both Center Hill and Cave Run Lake. He spotted the first bald eagle and was recognized for his efforts in tracking and protection for repopulation of bald eagles in Tennessee.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Alene Wise.

In addition to his wife, Jane Teager Wise, whom he married on September 30, 1972, of Morehead, he is survived by three daughters, Lisa Curtis of Denton, Texas, Diana (Guy) Mobley and Elizabeth McLane all of Summerville, South Carolina, two step-daughters, Jackie Teager (Doug) Jones of Morehead and Janet Teager (Tim) Ryan of Lewisville, Texas, two brothers, Wilbert (Lynn) Wise of Arlington, Texas and Alonzo (Margaret) Wise of Tiffin, Ohio, seven sisters, Opal Critchfield of Lexington, Thelma Dunaway of Richmond, Chrystal Ashcraft of Hamilton, Ohio, Elfreeda (Charles) Wickizer of Lawrenceburg, Wavelene (Damon) Dunaway, Mary Alva (Harry) Fox and Lynda (Montie) Parks all of Irvine, five granddaughters, Maranda Beth Ward, Amy Leigh Jones, Rebecka Dawne Curtis, Madison Kelli McLane and Harper Day Mobley, three grandsons, George McCray Mobley, Jacob Mathew McLane and Shepard James Mobley, one great-grandson, Lane Kelly Ward, one great-granddaughter, Kennedy Grace Ward, thirty-four nieces and nephews and his canine companion, Kate.

A celebration of his life and memorial service will be at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, August 24, 2008 in the chapel of the Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home with Dr. R. Don Mantooth officiating. Visitation will be after 2:00 P.M. Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Edgewood Estates Staff, First Baptist Church of Morehead or one's favorite charity.

Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home is caring for all arrangements.