Jim Bailey Talley, III

Jim Bailey Talley III, of Athens, Georgia (79) passed away on June 15, 2026.

He was born in Pecos, Texas, June 6, 1947, to Jim Bailey Talley, Jr, and Louise Crist Talley. Until he was 8, he lived on the plains and prairies of west TX where his love of cowboy boots and cowboy hats started. Because of his father’s job with oil companies and gasoline plants the family gradually moved east through Louisiana and into north Florida. He graduated from Bradford County High School, Starke, FL, in 1965, where he was known as the guy with the pick-up truck that could get things done. After trying out a year of junior college, he joined the US Navy and served his country from 1966-1970. As a navigation quarter master he was in Vietnam, on the bridge of the USS Forrestal in 1967, when the fire broke out and bombs exploded. He returned to Vietnam 3 more times on 3 different ships as a navigator. Upon returning home to FL he married Phyllis Haddock, one of his high school classmates. He finished 2 years at Santa Fe Community college where he participated in student government and received several community service awards. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in social studies education which he used to teach high school for several years in Williston, Hawthorne, and Starke, FL. To continue his education, he and his family moved to Athens, Georgia to obtain his Master’s degree from the University of Georgia in adult education. Cedar Shoals High School was lucky enough to have him as a math teacher and a coach for 22 years. After retiring, he spent 15 more years teaching math to adults at Athens Technical College.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Phyllis, and their 3 children: Jessica Talley, Monroe, GA; Jonathan Talley (Carrie), Milwaukee, WI; and Jeanna Hawthorne (Ross), Nicholson, GA; and his 5 grandchildren, who knew him as Babu: Tyndall, Eliza, and Knox Talley, Ruth and Stevie Hawthorne: and his brother Tom Talley (Pam), Lawtey, FL.

Jim was a talented man with a number of creative hobbies. He was very well known in the Southeast as a master wood turner, creating beautiful works of art such as bowls, pens, urns, miniatures, and especially spinning tops. He also cultivated tropical plants like orchids and bromeliads: he tried his hand at macrame, pottery, and candle making. His family considered him a Master Piddler and Fixer of All Things. Jim’s love of travel and sense of adventure allowed him to visit all 50 states and 6 out of the 7 continents. He loved Jesus, his family, and his country.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 3pm at St. James Church, where he was a member for 35 years, 111 West Lake Dr, Athens, GA 30606, with a reception immediately following in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Tunnels to Towers or Young Life of Athens, GA… or plant a tree in memory of the wood turner!

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