Jim Bales

James Richard “Jim” Bales, Sr., 77, husband of the late Brenda Maxey Bales, died on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Born in Athens, GA on November 17, 1948, Jim was the son of the late Richard Lee Bales and Marion Francis Bowles Bales and father to the late James Richard “Jamie” Bales, Jr. Jim work in sales at Phil Cook Motors and later in life with Athens Shuttle. Jim was an excellent Drummer having played with Southern Comfort and played with the praise and worship band when he attended church. Early in life he worked for different moving companies around Athens and drove all over the US; later he worked for a local bread company, Holsum Bread along the way he found he loved the car business and started as a salesman and worked his way to finance and eventually a General Sales Manager. One of his biggest loves was giving back; he coached many of the Oconee County children in either Little League baseball and Rocket Basketball. He was an avid UGA football fan. Later in life another joy was watching the Little League World Series with his daughter Amy.

Survivors include his daughter Amy Bales; brother: Russell Bales and his cocker spaniels, Josie and Bubba.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 1PM at Lord and Stephens West Chapel. The family will receive friends from 11AM until 1PM. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Russell Bales, Ace Marshall, Robert Whatley, Eddie Shumate, Phil Cook, Wayne Mathews and David Mathews. Honorary pallbearers will be members of The Green Machine youth baseball team and the Meat Squad basketball team.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com