Jim Lovell

James W. Lovell died February 16, 2012 at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington. He was 80. He was born in Betsey, Kentucky, the son of the late Robert and Jessie Lovell. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sheila, a daughter, Jessica Bowers (Wilmore), a son, J.T. Lovell (Lexington), and 5 grandchildren. He is also survived by his two brothers, Tom Lovell (Betsey) and Gene Lovell (Louisville) and his two sisters, Geraldine Guffey (Betsey) and Virginia High (Chandler, AZ). He leaves behind many family and friends who mourn his passing but rejoice in his going home to be with Jesus.

Jim graduated from Wayne County High School in 1949. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served four years, 1 year in Korea. After his discharge, he attended the University of Kentucky for two years. He was then hired by RCA Corporation as a radar technician and operator of missile radar tracking equipment, spending 5 years in the Bahamas, West Indies and Ascension Island before going for 2 years to Greenland. In Greenland, he worked as a technician in America's ballistic missile early warning systems (BMEWS)

After his return to Betsey, Jim was an industrial electrician, having worked at Belden Corp. in Monticello and at Tecumseh, in Somerset, as well as General Telephone in Somerset. When he and Sheila moved to Wilmore in 1982, he worked for 14 years on the maintenance crew at Asbury College, now Asbury University. He was known in his family as 'Mr. Fixit' as he could fix practically anything electrical or mechanical, as well as problems with anyone-s plumbing.

After his retirement in 1997, as long as his health would allow, Jim devoted his time to volunteering. He worked with Mended Hearts and drove a van for the Shriner-s Children-s Hospital. He joined the Wilmore Lions Club in 1982 and remained a loyal Lion until his death, serving as President of the Wilmore Lions Club and as District Governor of Kentucky District 43-C from 2000-2001. He was a member of the Wilmore Masonic Lodge and of Oleika Shrine Temple in Lexington.

A lifelong Methodist, Jim also volunteered his time and talents on various committees of the Wilmore United Methodist Church, of which he was a member. He also did many electrical projects around the church.

Funeral services will be 11 am Monday, February 20, 2012, in Clark Chapel, at the Wilmore United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Wilmore Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 am until time of the service. Members of the Wilmore Lions Club are honorary pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wilmore Lions Club, c/o Chuck Turner, 750 Tankersly Lane, Wilmore, KY 40390.

Betts & West Funeral Home of Nicholasville is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation:
9:30 am Monday, February 20, 2012 at Clark Chapel, Wilmore United Methodist Church

Funeral:
11 am Monday, February 20, 2012 at Clark Chapel, Wilmore United Methodist Church

Interment:
Wilmore Cemetery