James W. Darley

James Wesley Darley, Jr. died unexpectedly at his home in Ozark, AL on February 1, 2016.  He was 84 years old.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Wesley Darley, Sr. and Mary Ethel Pollock Darley; his siblings, James Louie Darley, Walter Fred Darley, Eva Darley Clenney, Ruby Darley Smith, Minnie Darley Pessenhofer, Inez Darley Thornton, Naomi Darley, Mary Darley Marden, Virginia Darley Singleton, and Kathryn Darley Sharp.

He is survived by his beloved and faithful wife of sixty-two years, Earlene Sims Darley, one sister, Eunice Darley Chason, one sister-in-law, Naomi Sims Mitchell, one brother-in-law, Hilton Argean Sims and five children: Beverly Tony Shelley, Joe Nancy Darley, Wesley Faye Darley, Carol Ed Aycock, and Ben Tami Darley. He also leaves behind sixteen grandchildren; Michelle Shelley Jones, Natalie Shelley Hutto, Alyson Shelley Burkhardt, Aaron Shelley, Mitch Darley, Carrie Darley Faulk, Tiffany Darley Thompson, Megan Darley Sims, Anna Darley, Garrett Darley, Kellie Aycock Jackson, Matthew Cook, Windy Darley Arnott, Ryan Darley, Cady Darley, and Lindsey Darley Sims.  He was blessed with forty-one great-grandchildren who loved their "Pa-Dee Moe-DEE" dearly!

At 17 years old he enlisted in the Army and spent 4 years serving in the South Pacific on the island of Enewetak, where he helped with the testing of the atomic bomb. He worked for Jackson Gas and Electric Company as a master HAVC mechanic.  He later worked for and retired with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which he was a member.  He had a heart of gold and was quick to serve when he saw an opportunity, often helping to provide heat and air conditioning to those in need. He spent his later years enjoying his family; especially his great-grandchildren! He was well known for his quirky and eccentric sense of humor. He loved babies, animals and sneaking forbidden desserts. He was loved by all that knew him and will be sorely missed until that wonderful day when we shall see him again…surrounded by family, dogs and Little Debbie cakes.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.