Jim “Mass” Massey passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 75 at his home in Richland, WA from natural causes. Jim was born to Harlin and Juanita (Webb) Massey on March 31, 1947, in Portia, AR and was raised in Rock Falls, IL.

Jim moved to Richland in 1978 to begin his 35-year career at Energy Northwest. He also brought with him his love for coaching Little League and coached the McDonald’s baseball team for 25+ years. The year he stopped coaching little league was the last year McDonald’s in Richland sponsored a team.  In addition to coaching his sons in baseball, Jim also coached them in basketball and soccer over the years.  There are thousands of kids throughout the Tri-Cities that refer to Jim simply as “coach.”  He was once acknowledged by a local sports photographer as the most photographed coach in the Tri-Cities. In addition to his love for Little League baseball, he was extremely passionate about Notre Dame football.

Jim also found time while coaching to play softball and golf. He organized The Legendary Annual “Massey Invitational” golf tournament that spanned over a decade and played competitive softball for over 20 years.

Jim had a way of making everyone in his life feel like family and he had enough love in his heart for all of us. His handshake was a hug. Despite having so much filling his plate, family always came first for Jim.   Nothing was more important to him than spending time with his wife, his kids and other loved ones. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. They could always count on Grandpa/Papa for a song, a dance, and the best hugs ever. He would say, with a smile, “they will always remember me smelling of gin and cigarettes.” Jim asked to not have a burial site because he never wanted to take up perfectly good grass that a baseball field could be on.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Harlin and Juanita, sister Lorna Kay Houzenga, brothers-in-law Robert Houzenga and Lester Hamilton, sister-in-law Lynn Lowe and beloved nephews Jonathan Urbanosky and Neil Lowe.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Vickie; daughter Taryn Heckert; sons Brent, Ben, Nick (Sarah), and Aaron Massey; DeSean Lowe-Zoll and his lifelong friend Jas Brockman, grandchildren Serra, Willy, and Drew Jordan; Elizabeth, Layla, Harper, Nora, Luna, and Archer Massey; Kate and Logan Heckert, sister Donna Hamilton; brothers Mike (Tammie) and Joe Massey; brothers-in-law Eddie, Alan, and Rick Lowe; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim was also the best dog dad to Kirby and Sadie who are lost without him.

Jim’s Life Celebration will be held at Einan’s Sunset Gardens Events Center located at 915 Bypass Highway in Richland, WA on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 2:00pm. A reception will follow.