What a celebration it must have been in Heaven on September 27 2020 when our precious daddy went to be with his beloved “Magoo”. James, “Jimmy Teacup” Acton died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Services will be held at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, October 3, 2020. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. with services following at 2 p.m. at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel. Reverend Bill Foster of North Point United Methodist Church will be officiating. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park.
He was born on August 18, 1936 in Girard, Illinois. He attended Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto where Teacup, as he was affectionately known by classmates, was prom king and a basketball and track star. After college, he briefly served his country in the U.S. Army before beginning a lifelong career in construction. His jobs sent him all over the United States and beyond. It was one of those jobs that sent him south to BAFB. It was there that he met the love of his life, Jewel “Magoo” Hodges. They celebrated 38 years of marriage before her death in 2011. He is also predeceased by his mother, Vi Wake and husband John as well as his grandparents Henry and Nellie Ann Tiek, with whom he spent much of his childhood.
With marriage came instant fatherhood to which he never faltered. He became a daddy to Jeanie Friday (John), Jerri McFarland (Gary), and Chris Donley. Though he had a full house with his instant family, Jim and Jewel welcomed a daughter, Tracey into their life in 1975. She is married to Brian Tullis and together they cared for him at their home in his final years.
His greatest joy in life came in 1998 with the birth of his best friend and jeopardy watching granddaughter, Ashlyn Paige. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jamie (Jessica), Jacob, and Lacey. Numerous great grandchildren and his furbaby, Puppy (Brown Sugar).
Pallbearers will be members of the family. Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul “Dink” Hargrave, Willard Wallace, and members of the Civic High School Class of 1956.
The family would like to send a special thanks out to Dr. Rajan Khanna and Elizabeth. Dr. William Hayine and Korie, the Christus Hospice Group especially Denise and Brenda who took such extra special care of our Daddy.
"We’ll see ya in the funny papers!"
- Jim Acton
