James David Sego

James was born on August 31, 1932, to Virgil and Daisy Hardy Sego in Larue County, Kentucky. In his early childhood, the family moved to Glendale, Kentucky, where James would live until one year before his death. James’ final year was spent at Tender Touch Heart and Home Assisted Living in Elizabethtown with his beloved wife of almost 73 years, Idell Wilkerson Sego.

Growing up in Glendale, James worked on the family farm while attending school at Glendale Grade School and later graduating from Glendale High School in 1950. In the early 1950s, he served one enlistment in the United States Marine Corps, receiving basic training at Camp Pendleton in California, and later stationed in Japan where he trained recruits at the end of the Korean Conflict. In 1953, while home on leave, he married his high school sweetheart, Idell Wilkerson, also of Glendale. Throughout their separation, they maintained constant correspondence, evidence of which remains in existence to this day.

When James returned safely home from serving his country, he resumed working on his parents’ farm while he and Idell started their family. Their first child, Donna Jean was born in the winter of 1954, followed by Rhonda Gayle in 1957, and Kimberly Dawn in 1962. James worked several years for the Southern States Cooperative in Elizabethtown before operating and later owning Glendale Hardware. In 1975, James put his ingenuity and talent for logistics and engineering to greatest use when he helped Idell bring to life her dream of owning a train-themed restaurant. James gave up one room of his hardware store, designed, and with friend and carpenter Sonny Hatfield, built what became known as The Whistle Stop Restaurant. As this initial venture grew in popularity, James and Idell sold the hardware business, and turned the entire building into a very successful restaurant known throughout the state and beyond. But they didn’t stop there. Having enjoyed tending the gift shop within the restaurant, James and Idell opened an additional gift shop at a second location in Glendale, Thru the Grapevine. They sold The Whistle Stop after thirty years but continued to enjoy running Thru the Grapevine until their full retirement in 2017. After retirement, James enjoyed spending time in his yard, riding his John Deere tractor, or taking care of birds and squirrels, and the many trees he and Idell had planted over the years. On warm mornings, you may have spotted him and Idell sitting on the side porch sipping coffee and watching for hummingbirds.

James’ roots in his church and community ran deep. He was a second generation and lifetime member of Gilead Baptist Church where he served in many capacities including the role of deacon, and member of the choir. As a committed member of the Glendale community, James served with the Glendale Lions Club, the Glendale Merchants Association, and the Glendale Volunteer Fire Department, having once served as chief. He was a talented bass singer who enjoyed many years singing with The Gloryland Messengers Quartet, and barbershop ensembles such as The Heart of Kentucky Men’s Chorus.

James was known to be a very kind and generous man and was the local “go-to” guy when someone needed their spring garden plowed, or an elderly neighbor found her sump pump was on the fritz. He was a man of exemplary character, who was loved by many. His frequent cheerful humming and whistling was a trademark. His wife and daughters shared some of their most cherished memories: Rhonda recalls spending one-on-one time with him on their Friday trips to Louisville to obtain supplies for the hardware store. Kim remembers looking forward to yearly vacations in the camper her father built for their young family. Both recall the family singing together during road trips. Donna might share her memory of him designing and building the backdrop for her performance for the Miss EHHS pageant. Idell tells the story of James coming to her house before he left for basic training and asking her to wait for him. When he returned home on a seven-day leave, they decided that was just enough time to have a wedding. Idell added that she also has very fond memories of the many nights spent planning and designing their businesses.

James is survived by his wife, Idell Wilkerson Sego, his daughters Rhonda Sego Moore (James) and Kimberly Sego Becker (Jim); Son-in-law, Michael Rodgers; his grandchildren Kristen Savage (Mike), Brandon Hart, Emily Lee (Christopher), Jordan Rodgers (Sam Smith), Megan Rodgers (Kimberly Gibson), Caitlin Tully and Lily Becker (Connor); and great-grandchildren Logan, Jonathan, Peyton (Austin), Haley, Jillian, Kyla, Ellie, Patrick, Owen, Lucy, Simone, Sylvie, Vita, Micah and Isaac, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Dorothy Irene Sego and Thelma Louise Sego Simms, and his first daughter, Donna Sego Rodgers.

Visitation will be held at Gilead Baptist Church on April 6, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and April 7, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, with memorial service at 11:00 am. Graveside service to follow immediately at Glendale Christian Church cemetery.

In lieu of traditional expressions of sympathy, please consider planting a tree or donating to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in his memory.