James Loyde Jeffries, Sr.

James (Jim) Loyde Jeffries Sr., 81, of Delta, Ohio passed away at his Delta home surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, September 17th from kidney failure.

Jim was born on January 5th, 1943 to Lawrence Russell and Thelma Mae (Smith) Jeffries, in Toledo, Ohio, the third oldest of six boys. 

In 1960, Jim met Karen, the love of his life, while he was moving furniture into her family home in Toledo. Jim and Karen were married on August 25th, 1962, celebrating 60 years of marriage just before Karen passed away. Jim was a loving husband and would serenade Karen and bring her beautiful yellow roses. 

Jim was a driver and salesman for East Texas Motor Freight (ETMF) and Arkansas Best Freight (ABF) retiring in 1997 after 35 years of devoted service. He received many awards including the American Trucking Associations Safe Driving Award with 9 years of no accidents and 25 years of Outstanding Safety Achievement from ABF. 

Jim was a fantastic and wonderful father to three children, and a dedicated grandfather to six grandchildren. He loved to play outside with the kids, help with their school projects, sing around the kitchen table, navigate boat rides and make “pudgy pies” around the campfire, 

Jim and Karen had a love of gardening and had a huge red raspberry patch for many years. The berries were so delicious and made some of the best homemade jam. He also loved to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins and zucchinis (as long as they were made into Zucchini Bread!)

Jim was passionate about his pets especially Tink his beautiful black lab that preceded him in death and Nala his Maltese, who would sit beside him every night in the recliner. Nala would have her head forward and back in her behind so she could see everything. Jim called this “Parking her Truck’ as she would cuddle beside him. Nala laid beside Jim non-stop during his final hours. 

Jim was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his wife Karen and brother Lawrence (Bud). He is survived by four siblings, Aubra (Gene); Robert (Frank), Merle and Kenneth (Kenny), his three children, Julie, Jimmy, and Jodie; his six grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, Jared, Bryson, Bryanna, and Brendyn.

A Memorial Service and Luncheon will be held Sunday, September 22th at 1:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 410 Taylor Street, Delta Ohio. Visitation will be held from 12pm-1pm 

In lieu of cut flowers, donations or can be made in Jim’s Memory to the Trinity Lutheran Church. 

Arrangements by Grisier~Weigel Funeral Home (419.822.3121).