Barbourville, Ky. – Jim Henry Graden, 79, of Artemus, Kentucky, passed away January 28, 2025. Jim was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 18, 1945, to Marion Alice Bedell Graden and Jon Roy Graden. Jim enlisted in the US Army in 1962, serving our country during the Korean War. After returning home from his time in the service, Jim met JoAnn Walters. They united in marriage in April 1972 and to this union, one daughter, Lisa Jo, was born. In 1978, Jim relocated to Kentucky, where he worked various jobs before settling in for a long tenure as a mechanical technician at Jackson MSC, where he remained for 28 years, retiring from there in April, 2023.
When Jim was younger, he was an active member for many years, of the Artemus Fire Department. Jim was a Christian and a member of the Artemus Christian Church. Jim loved his dogs, and very much enjoyed watching UK basketball in his spare time, but his greatest joy came from the immense love he felt for his family. Jim will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Left behind to mourn Jim’s passing are his daughter, Lisa Jo Napier (Jeremy); three grandchildren: Troy Bierman, Megan Bryant (Kirkland), and Brady Napier, and one cherished great-grandchild: Greyson Bryant; Brothers: Bobby Graden (Debbie), Kenny Graden (Suzi); Sisters: Pauline Showalter, Debbie Presgraves (Joe), and Rita Maples also survive Jim and will miss him dearly. In addition to his parents, Jon Roy Graden and Marion Alice Graden, Jim was preceded in death by his wife Jo Ann Graden.
The Graden family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home, Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Monday, February 3, 2025 from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Reverend Derrick Foster will officiate assisted by Reverend Bob Graden. Musical tributes to be performed by Jared Ferguson. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Barbourville Cemetery, Barbourville, Kentucky. Casket Bearers are Christopher Russell, Adam Russell, Troy Bierman, Brady Napier, Coty Walters, and Tyler Miller. Honorary Casket Bearers are employees of Jackson MSC.
The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home, Mr. Robin Reese, Mrs. Lorena Blankenship, Mr. Reid Brewer, and Mrs. Brenda Johnson, express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jim Henry Graden.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Jim Henry Garden.
