Jim “Daddy” Adley, Jr., also known as “Big Jim”, the Gentle Giant, 80 years old, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2019 in Butler Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was born in Pittsburgh on September 15, 1938. Jim was the eldest of three sons born to the late Jim and Ruth Elphenstone Adley, Sr.
Jim and his wife Maryan “Bobbi” Adley were married on October 23, 1971 and have six children, Amanda Adley McConnell, Mindy (Dan) Steere, Melanie Adley, Jim “Beetle” (Laura) Adley, III, Amber (Jack) Ripper, and Eric (Jen) Adley, all of Butler; ten grandchildren, Michael “J” Wagner, Brady and Ryan McConnell, Brandon (Chelsea) and Rachel (Randy) Steere, Jim “Pook”, Jocelyn, Elijah, Delaney, and Wyatt Adley, all of Butler; and two great-grandchildren, Christopher Steere, of Butler, and Wednesday Wagner, of Texas.
Also left behind to cherish his memory are his brothers, Mark (Valerie) Adley, of Kentucky, and Bill (Wendy) Adley, of North Carolina.
Jim graduated from West View High School in 1956 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His grandson is now following in his footsteps and nothing could make him prouder.
After his discharge from the Navy, Jim spent some time working in the oil fields in Oklahoma before returning home to become a butcher and later a topnotch salesman until his retirement.
While raising a large family and working long hours took a great deal of his time, Jim still found time when his children were young to coach elementary school-level basketball for more than 20 years, as well as Little League baseball. It was during this time that he began to be known as “Daddy Adley”
Jim was well known for his sense of humor and his generous spirit. He was an inspiration and hero to many of the young people that grew up in the presence of this wonderful man.
He gave friend and stranger alike a helping hand whenever he could.
Jim was a member of Saint Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Herman. He could often be found helping out at the parish’s annual church picnic.
He was a very giving man. If you would like to make a donation in his name, in lieu of flowers, then please give to any charity that would benefit our troops or to Saint Mary Church in Herman, as these were the causes very close to Jim’s heart.
Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 429 Center Avenue, Butler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 1 p.m. from Saint Mary the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Herman.
Burial will be in Saint Mary’s Cemetery.
Military honors will be accorded at the church by Chicora American Legion Post 642 and Brady’s Bend American Legion Post 488.
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