James David Staley, 86, of Houston passed away Oct. 28, 2025. Jim was born Aug. 1, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri.
When Jim was almost seven years old his mother passed away. He moved to Licking with his mother’s sister, Josephine Johnston Jones, and her husband, Elba Jones. Elba and Josephine were already raising her other sister, Sarah Ardeenia’s, children, Margaret Johnston Burch, Chales Leroy Cartee and Josie Marie Cartee Hutsell, so they decided to raise the four children as siblings.
After graduating from Licking High School, Jim joined the Marines. Shortly after leaving the service, he married Phyllis Dennis. Jim worked at Licking Motor Company Ford Dealership in Licking as the parts man until his retirement.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Staley; father, Red Staley; mother, Addie Johnston Blakey Staley; adopted mother, Josephine Jones; adopted father, Elba Jones; brother, Bill Blakey; sister, Amy Blakey; and brother/cousin, Charley Cartee.
Jim is survived by his son, James Dennis Staley of Houston; sister/cousins, Margaret Burch of Licking and Josie Hutsell of Virginia; nephews, Eddie Burch, Wayne Burch and Dana Hutsell; niece, Leslea Lilley; along with a large number of cousins.
A visitation for Jim will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2025, at Evans Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Pine Lawn Cemetery with Pastor Don Crockett officiating. Interment will be in Pine Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Evans Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.evansfh.com.