James I. (Jim) Courtney passed into eternity on June 7, 2020 after a long struggle with a neuromuscular disease called inclusion body myositis. Jim and his wife Jan celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary on May 14. In addition to his beloved wife, he leaves behind his brother Donald Courtney (Carolyn), daughter Jamie Courtney Bunch (Bryan), son Philip McLendon and daughter Erin Courtney Townsend (Jeff), three grandchildren, Aubrey, Jackson, and Josie and several loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Josie Courtney. He worked at Memphis Light, Gas and Water for 35 years as a Service Representative in the Gas Engineering Department. Jim was an avid photographer and a member of the Memphis Professional Photographers Guild. He received several awards for his photos taken during company photography contests. Jim also loved to play soccer and was on a competitive soccer league in Germantown, TN. He was a talented artist who created beautiful stained glass pieces that he either gave as gifts or used to decorate in the home. He loved sports cars, particularly Porsche 911’s, and was a member of the Porsche Club and Mercedes Benz Club of Memphis. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 11 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4851 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN with Visitation and viewing at 1 PM, Rosary at 1:30 PM, and Mass at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Johns Hopkins Myositis Center Research Fund, Mason F. Lord Building, Center Tower, Suite 358, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224, phone 410-550-9893. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University.
