Jimmy Howard Day

March 20, 1937 – October 1, 2021

Jimmy Howard Day, age 84, of Browns Mills, NJ passed away at the home of his dedicated caregiver on October 1, 2021. Born in Boulder, CO he lived in Medford, OR before moving to Browns Mills, NJ. He was predeceased by his father, Marion Benjamin, & his mother, Hazel Pauline (née Wells).

To say Jimmy was a different kind of person is an understatement - he once killed a coyote and ate it! He had many stories about his rebel ways during his youth. At age 14, young Jimmy used to drive his friends around in a car - he would stack telephone books on the front seat (to be tall enough), wear a hat to look older, and stick a cigar in his mouth, all the while thinking he was “Mr. Cool”. Also (according to Jimmy), in his youth he had a thick mop of black curly hair that girls would come up and ask if they could run their hands through it.

Even so, Jimmy wasn't always the easiest person to get to know or get along with. However, those who knew him as a friend found him to be soft-spoken, humorous, and loyal. He was well-liked within the neighborhood and was known for riding his adult 3-wheeled bicycle when he could no longer drive - he enjoyed it so much, especially because it secured the independence he so dearly valued. His friends described him as funny and a jokester – he would often laugh with them exchanging stories. Jimmy also shared about the love for his family and told countless stories about his two boys. He made a point to teach his sons a work ethic and also held them responsible when they made costly mistakes - they had to pay for it themselves!

Some of Jimmy's pastimes were yard sales and shopping at thrift stores for treasures he may discover, especially Native American paraphernalia. He also enjoyed finding electronics and trying to fix them. His favorite shows included fishing, Westerns, and anything to do with the History channel. He enjoyed listening to old country western music and really liked ice cream – particularly chocolate mint and strawberry.

Jimmy appreciated flowers, gardens, and feeding the birds; he had a soft spot for animals. Although he enjoyed fishing, he preferred not to hunt and even let his own chickens die naturally of old age. Jimmy enjoyed watching animal rescue shows and even rescued some of his own. He was extremely fond of dogs (and  he liked cats, too); some of his dearest canine pals were George, Clyde, Elmer, and Pedro.

It is important to note, when his oldest son was a teenager, Jimmy made a life changing decision – he prayed for Jesus to be his Savior. Even though he started off with good intentions and made some positive changes and choices, he soon reverted to his old ways of self-reliance and mistrust – a temptation many of us face! Of course, this resulted in many hardships and broken relationships over the years. But the Lord is so good. Despite the mistakes we may make, He takes care of His children. In His last days Jimmy was lovingly cared for and “died with dignity”. Some of his final words were that God was his best friend.

Surviving are his first wife, Viola Jean Coke (née Templeton) and their children, David Howard Day (Desiree) & Jimmy Richard Day (Dawn); grandchildren Aaron Richard Day (Kaitlin), Aimee Payton (Heath), Mikaela, Timothy, Benjamin, and Christiana; great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Lorelai, & Wade Day, Misti, Heath III, Colton, & Ezekial Payton; his former wife Susan Gail Duncan (with whom he remained friends) & his siblings Patricia, Jack (Melba), Jeanette, Susan, Peggy, & Rosie.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Polk  Memorial Gardens, 6465 Trotwood Ave, Columbia, TN 38401 with Pastor Stephen Schwanke officiating.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

2 Corinthians 12:9a

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Memorial donations may be made to:

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Oregon, Inc.

Jackson County Chapter

PO Box 4484

Medford, OR 97501