James E. Atterberry, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend, passed away on August 27 2024. He was 86. He was born in Oklahoma in 1938 and moved to the Tri City area at 4 years of age and remained here the rest of his life.

He graduated from Ki-Be high school in Benton City where he played football and basketball. He also coached these sports for the youth of Benton City as a young father. He was involved in several civic clubs also.

James was an avid outdoorsman. When he was younger, he loved going on weekend getaways hiking and camping in the Blue Mountains with his children and friends. He enjoyed hunting from pheasant to moose. He traveled to Alaska, Canada and all over the Pacific Northwest to hunt. Fishing was also a sport he enjoyed. He fished it all, from streams, lakes, rivers and oceans and probably would have fished aquariums if the fish were bigger.

His greatest passion was golf, and you could find him out on the links three to five days a week. His proudest moment in golfing was when he hit his first hole in one and “got” to buy the whole clubhouse a round of drinks. Whenever you would visit him at home, he was sure to be watching golf on the television. When he wasn’t golfing, he had fun playing cards with his Saturday card group and going out to dinner with his classmates from Benton City.

James is survived by his children; Perry Atterberry of France, Denise Merkt of Richland and James Vincent Atterberry of Pasco. Sisters Joanne Hess, Janice Slack and a brother Joe. Six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, one nephew, many nieces and many good friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Kevin Atterberry, his parents, Ernest and Ethel, brother Jerry and sister Judy.
A viewing will be at Einens funeral home on September 10 from 1:00pm until 5 :00pm. A graveside service will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Benton City on September 11th at 4:00pm.