James (Jim) N. Stacy, 82, of Richland, Washington passed on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at home while quietly resting.

Jim is survived by his children Toni Stacy and JD Stacy; sisters Deb (Frank) Mitchell and Cathy (Orville) Walker; Grandchildren, Bruce (Gen) Owens, Misty (Andre) Gonzales, Floyd (Megan) Owens, ReAnna Owens, Amy (Jordan) Garber, Darren (Daylee) Lathim, Kevin (Sarah) Lathim, Michael Stacy, Sadie Stacy, 18 great grandchildren; many extended family members; best friend – baseball/breakfast buddy, Roger Wick; and his companion pet, Luna. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Naomi, his wife Linda Conrad Stacy, and daughter Renee Ann Owens.

Jim was born September 27, 1939 in Fredonia, Kansas to James F. Stacy and Naomi Kelly Stacy. He was the oldest of three children and often assisted in the care of his younger sisters. He attended school in Fredonia, Kansas; he moved to Cherryvale, Kansas where he attended Junior High and High School. He was very active in school sports and activities while also working when he could. In his senior year of high school, he and the love of his life, Linda Conrad Stacy,  married November 27, 1957. By 1960 he had two daughters, Renee and Toni, and a son, JD (in the oven) when he decided to load everyone up and move to Tri-Cities, Washington where he raised his family living in Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, and Benton City.

Jim thought he had a job waiting for him when he brought his family to the Tri-Cities, however, it wasn’t available when he arrived. That didn’t stop him; he took to the streets and landed a job with Vale Construction moving rocks at McNary Dam to prepare the land for the park that was put in. Eventually he got on at Hanford in security then moved on to be an engineer specialist. He was a hard-worker and highly respected.

Jim loved sports, his passion being baseball. He played baseball and had prospects of college ball, however, love interrupted those dreams. He also umpired and made a major contribution to the community of Richland as a youth baseball coach. He not only taught players the skills of baseball, he also instilled life lessons to each player. As the Greater Richland Little League stated, “No one epitomized Little League better than you”.

He also loved fishing, hunting, dancing (jitterbug), “shooting the breeze” with everyone especially his son, JD, at the Spudnut Shop and taking drives along the Columbia River while listening to his favorite Elvis songs. Jim loved food; fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, desserts – especially pie. In his later years, Dr. Pepper, Swiss Miss cocoa, and vanilla shakes became essentials. Jim had a squirrel feeder and loved watching the squirrels while he told stories of how he and his buddies would hunt squirrels for dinner.

In later years, Jim started attending church at Faith Assembly and then Richland Baptist Church (RBC). It was at RBC’s Judgment House that Jim accepted Jesus as his Savior and began attending RBC. While he was but a babe in his walk with God, he was gifted the opportunity to talk with family about God and his beliefs.

While Jim may have had a gruff exterior, he had a heart of gold. He was generous and was always sure that everyone’s needs were met. When Jim walked into a room with his big smile, laugh, and fun-loving attitude the room lit up. He was never shy, no one was a stranger, he eagerly spoke with anyone. Jim was a storyteller (in more ways than one :o). He was a caring loving dedicated father, grandfather, brother, friend, and coach. Jim was proud of all his family, friends, ballplayers, always quick to brag and quick to support and build up.

Dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, friend, coach you are so loved and are truly missed. Yet our hearts are rejoicing as we know you had Thanksgiving with your beloved wife topped off with a day of jitterbugging and playing baseball then finally resting in God’s arms.

Viewing, service, and reception with be held in the Event Center at Einan’s at Sunset in Richland on Friday, December 10. Viewing will be 9-10; service will begin at 10 and be followed by a reception.

The Stacy family asks that, instead of flowers, any who wishes to honor Jim donate to Little League Youth Programs in our community.