James Edwin Athens Jr

James Edwin Athens Jr. Obituary

December 14, 1969 – January 8, 2024

Military Memorial Service: Saturday, February 17, 2024, 11:00 AM

Master Sargent James “Jim” Athens USAF (Ret.), loving husband, father, son, and brother, was called home to be with our Lord on Monday, January 8, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio at the age of 54. Jim was born on December 14, 1969, in Jacksonville, FL to James “Jimmy” Edwin Athens and Stephanie Nettles Athens. Jim grew up in Orange Park, FL and graduated from Orange Park High School in 1988. Jim joined the United States Air Force in 1990.

Jim was initially stationed at Hurlburt Field in Ft. Walton Beach, FL as a Fuels Specialist where he met fellow Airman, Andrea Kay Smith and instantly fell in love. After a yearlong tour in Korea, Jim and Andrea married in Andrea’s hometown of Athens, Ohio on November 22, 1997.

The newlywed couple moved to Charleston AFB where Jim transitioned from Fuels to C17 Load Master. As a Load Master he flew all around the globe, with missions on six continents and numerous countries. While in Charleston the couple became proud parents to Griffin Allan (24) and Grantley James (20). In 2005, Jim was transferred to Altus AFB where he remained until his retirement in August 2010.

During Jim’s 20 years of dedicated military service, he graduated from Embry-Riddle

Aeronautical University, Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management and Columbia Southern University, Cum Laude, with an MBA. Jim fervently loved the USA and his dedication to this country was honored with several awards and medals. Some of the medals he was awarded include The Air Force Achievement Medal, The Aerial Achievement Medal, and The Air Medal twice for his meritorious achievements while participating in sustained aerial flight in extremely dangerous conditions during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Jims 20 years of service directly represented the qualities of a true American patriot.

After retiring from the Air Force, he moved his family to central Florida where he had a very successful banking career as a Senior Commercial Relationship Manager and awarded National Achiever in 2015. Jim worked tirelessly to ensure his clients were able to attain their dreams by helping fund their entrepreneurial ventures. A real people person, Jim had a knack for making friends and helping others. He believed weekends were meant for entertaining family and friends at home by the pool with a fire pit, good food, a game on the TV, and listening to country music. Jim was a sports enthusiast who played softball with his Air Force buddies and he never turned down a round of golf. He loved the Florida gators, no matter how bad the season. Any given day Jim could be found at home tinkering on something with his best friends “Baron” Titus or “Cash” Antonio, his beloved Weimaraners, by his side.

Jim’s legacy will live on through his devoted wife Andrea and adored children Griffin and Grant.

Jim is also survived by his parents Jimmy and Stephanie Athens; his sister Marti (Dan) Griffith, Austin Napier (17), Jack Griffith (17), Delaney Griffith (15), and Blake Griffith (6); his parents-in-law Gregg Smith and Marsha Cluff; his brother-in-law Allan (Carrie) Smith; and many other loving family members and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents John and Louise Nettles and Edwin and Helen Athens; his father-in-law Fred Cluff; and his cousin Jay Nettles. Jim will be deeply missed by all. To honor and celebrate Jim’s life, funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday February 17, 2024 at Orange Park Presbyterian Church, 1905 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073. Gathering to follow.

In Lieu of Flowers please make continued donations in Jim’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105 Stjude.org

Tunnel To Tower Foundation

2361 Hylan Boulevard

Staten Island, NY 10306

T2T.org