James Stewart Joy

James Stewart Joy, age 71, passed away as a result of Lou Gerig’s (ALS) disease, surrounded by his wife of 42 years, Catherine Frazier Joy, and his sons, Christopher Stewart Joy, Alexander James Joy, Charles Frazier Joy and daughter, Caitlin Elizabeth Joy (Dom).

Jim was born in Washington DC and grew up in Crescent Hill after his family moved to Louisville. He graduated Atherton High School (class of 1972), received a BA in English from the University of Louisville (1976), and graduated from the United Electronics Institute (1978). He worked at Norton Healthcare in Bio-Medical engineering and later in real estate land sales for Parks & Weisberg.

From an early age, Jim enjoyed the outdoors–fishing, hunting and boating. During his college years, he managed the backpacking department at Allied Sporting Goods where he developed a love of nature and conservation. He also relished working on all sorts of home improvement projects, including meticulously outfitting his basement workshop and building A-Frame cabins at All Saints Episcopal Center at Rough River. Jim read widely and took a keen interest in learning about military history.

His life evolved when he married Catherine Frazier (1983) and they began their life together, raising four children and eventually building a home in Goshen, Kentucky. Jim enjoyed creating a sanctuary and entertaining family and friends around the pool. He also appreciated farm life in his cabin in Waddy, Kentucky, where he enjoyed getting away to fish and explore the woods.

No matter how serious the circumstances, one could count on Jim for support. He lightened the mood of many dire situations with humor and practical wisdom. Most importantly, Jim’s special gift was appreciating the intrinsic value of others.

He served on and supported a variety of national and community boards, including: The Brown- Forman Family Shareholder Committee and the Brown-Forman Dendrifund, The Frazier Museum, The Frazier-Joy Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, The Sierra Club, Trout Unlimited, the Louisville Zoo and the Kentucky Humane Society.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Jim supported St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and community outreach projects at Harrod’s Creek Baptist Church.

Jim is predeceased by his parents, the Rev. Stewart M. Joy and Ellen Beam Joy. In addition to his wife Catherine and their children, Jim found delight in his four grandchildren: Charlotte, Maxwell, Blaze and Bentley.

He is survived by his loving sister, Suellen Joy Brill (Robert), nephew Andrew Clark Brill and niece Abigail Joy Taylor (Mark). Also, nephews Cordt and Chase Huneke (Ben) and nieces Kelli Van Hecke (Ragan) and Amelia Frazier Theobald (Parker).

Jim was grateful for childhood friends who took time to reconnect through notes and phone calls and thankful for those who were especially supportive during his illness: The Reverend Kirk Bush, St. Mark’s Episcopal Prayer Group, Mac Brown, Sandra Frazier, Garvin Brown, Beth and Guy Baron, Tom Bachman, Susan Higdon, Stella Collis Georgious and Jim Jackson.

Jim admired Henri-Frédéric Amiel, a Swiss moral philosopher and poet. He wrote: “Life is short. We don't have much time to gladden the hearts of those who walk this way with us. So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.”

Jim asked that all his family and friends think about that blessing and simply spend some time in nature pondering how to ease suffering in this world.

Visitation will take place at Arch L. Heady & Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Road, Thursday, December 18, 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Jim’s funeral will be held Friday, December 19, 11:00 am, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2822 Frankfort Avenue. A private family burial will be held at Cave Hill Cemetery.

If so inclined, Jim asked that memorial gifts be made directly to the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky; specifically in support of the Room in the Inn project, which offers overnight shelter for women and children during winter months and/or to the Laundry Love voucher program which provides the unhoused with an efficient way to launder their clothes. Both are outreach programs of Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral (421 S. 2nd Street, Louisville, Ky 40202)