The Rev. James Milton "Jim" Abernathey, a retired Episcopal priest, passed away quietly on August 15, 2026.
Jim was born on August 23, 1935, in Atchison, Kansas, to Hugh and Marguerite Abernathey. He grew up primarily in Victoria, Texas, and graduated from Victoria High School in 1953. He went on to study at Rice University and the University of Texas, earning a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduating, he worked in the engineering field for several years, including a stint with Brown & Root. He later felt a call to ministry and attended the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, where he earned a Master of Divinity.
Jim was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1970 and served faithfully for many years before retiring. Over the course of his ministry, he served congregations in Palacios, Matagorda, Freeport, Silsbee, and Atascocita, Texas. Even after retiring, he continued to answer the call as a supply priest, serving communities between Corpus Christi and Houston. Later in life, he returned to his love of learning and earned a second master's degree from Rice University.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Marguerite Abernathey, and by JoAnn Jamison, the mother of his six children.
He is survived by his children: Laurie Barnett (John) of Lawrence, KS; Penny Byrnes (Chris) of Lago Vista, TX; Debbie Sparks (Ricky) of Angleton, TX; Kathy Lopes (Bob) of Leander, TX; Mary Stone (David) of Kerrville, TX; and Pat Abernathey (Sarah) of Louisville, CO. He is also survived by his partner Sue Lane of Atascocita, TX; brother, Mike Abernathey of Longview, TX, and his sister, Diane Coolidge of Scottsdale, AZ; along with 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. on August 22 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Victoria, TX. A graveside committal will be at noon at Evergreen Cemetery in Victoria.
