James “Jimmy” Ivey was born March 12, 1947 in Milledgeville, GA. He was the son of the late Julian Ivey, and Maude Twilley Ivey. A devout Christian, Jimmy was a member of the Baptist Tabernacle Church in Lagrange, GA. He graduated from Baldwin High School in Milledgeville, GA. He earned a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Troy State University. Following graduation from high school, he joined the United States Air Force where he was deployed to Takhli Air Base in Thailand during the Vietnam War. During his time in the Air Force, he served as a supply specialist and a military police officer assigned to the Office of Special Investigations. Upon leaving the Air Force, he joined the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a sheriff’s deputy and Chief Investigator. He later joined the Georgia Army National Guard where he served as a recruiter until retiring from military service in 1993. After military service, he worked as a parole officer for the Georgia State Department of Pardons and Paroles for 10 years. Upon retirement from state duty, he joined the LaGrange Police Department where he served the city as a Police Officer and Code Enforcement Officer until retirement in 2018.
Jimmy was a lifelong public servant, family man, and friend to everyone he met. He spent a good portion of his time giving back to the community by volunteering at various charitable events. He was a member of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club and the Fraternal Order of Freemasons.
Jimmy Ivey never met a stranger. His humor and smile will be remembered by everyone he impacted in his life. A tried and true University of Georgia Bulldogs fan, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Trish, riding his Harley with his brothers and sisters of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, and spending time with his grandkids. He will be deeply missed by all.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his mother, father, brothers John Michael and Matthew Harris, and his sister Joyce Elaine. He is survived by his wife, Patricia “Trish” Ivey; daughter DeAnna Ivey Morgan and her husband Darrell; daughter Jamie Ivey-Kirschbaum and her husband Tim; stepdaughter Jenny McCrea Dowdy and her husband Darren; stepson Drew Fortenberry; and 7 grandchildren, Patrick, Ashley, Bailey, Kaley, Hudson, Kaylen, and Julianne.
The gathering of family and friends will be at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Lagrange, GA on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 between the hours of 5:30 and 7:00pm. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10:00am followed by a procession to West View Cemetery in Milledgeville, GA where Jimmy will be laid to rest at 2:30pm with full military honors alongside his father, mother, brother and sister.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Jimmy’s name to either the Concerns of Police Survivors or The Wounded Warrior Project.
The family would like to express gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers.
Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.
Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636
