By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
18 Comments
    • Service

      A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

    • Full Obituary

      James L. Hensley, 72, of Highland, IL died Friday, April 24, 2020 at his home, with his family by his side.

      James was born September 26, 1947, to William and Mary (nee Leist) Hensley in Vienna, IL.  In July 1984, he married Nikki Dimoff, in Paducah, KY.

      James served in the Navy after high school, and spent two tours on the USS Shangri-La aircraft carrier.  He later became an Illinois State Police officer.   He enjoyed a variety of different business ventures before finally retiring from AT&T.   James loved his family and will be missed by all who knew him.

      He is survived by his wife, Nikki Hensley, Highland, IL; children, Sean (Jamie) Hensley, Columbus, OH, Kirk (Amy) Hensley, Chicago, IL, Tiffany (Kurt) Gawedzinski, Lake St. Louis, MO; stepson, Darren Carey, Glen Arm, IL; grandchildren, Samantha, Jacob, Jackson, Sydney, Joshua, Caleb, Evelyn and Kaytlyn; great grandchild, Natalie; sisters, Judith Hayden, Vienna, IL and Jennifer Dunbar, Marion, IL; numerous nieces and nephews.

      He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Hensley; stepson, James Carey; brother, Joseph Hensley.

      Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

      A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date

      Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

    18 Condolences
     
    1. Brenda Hoskins / April 27, 2020 at 9:49 am

      Jim was really like a brother to me. Loyal but feisty, willing to help anyone, a good sport, barbecue grill master, and a master negotiator. A problem solver. He attacked problems, he didn’t run from them. A hard worker and a man who deeply loved his wife, family, friends, and laughter. And golf! Rest In Peace, Jim.

    2. Jennifer Henard / April 27, 2020 at 12:03 pm

      I worked with Jim and one thing I will always remember was his amazing laugh. He will be so missed 💔

    3. Tammie Jacobs / April 27, 2020 at 3:36 pm

      God has gotten a wonderful angel. Jim was great person to work with. He was a team player and wonderful friend. When he retired from AT&T he was truly missed. My prayers go out to the whole family. Jim always thought of and took care of others before himself. Rest in Peace and in Heaven Jim💜🙏🙏

    4. Kaye Mershon / April 27, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      I am extremely sorry to hear of Jim’s transition. He was a pleasure to work with and a joy to joke with. I will remember the great tims we had at AT&T.

      Sincere condolences to the entire family and friends.

    5. Tammie Jacobs / April 27, 2020 at 3:53 pm

      God truly got a angel. Jim was a very kind and thoughtful person. He was truly missed when he retired from AT&T. He was an awesome team player and always thought of everyone before himself. Rest in Peace and in Heaven Jim!

    6. Debbie Clayton / April 27, 2020 at 5:50 pm

      Jim & I were Zone Managers together for AT&T – we traveled the state of MO & had a lot of good conversation, a lot of laughs & some good meals! He loved his family so much. It was my honor and privilege to know him as a co-worker & friend! Rest In Peace Jim – you will be so very missed! #lifesavers

    7. Sandy Hoskins / April 27, 2020 at 6:14 pm

      Dear Nikki and family. I am so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. May God bless and keep you and give you His comfort and peace. I will miss Jim. He was family to us. Everyone loved Jim. His laugh, his sense of humor. He was so much fun. He was such a good friend. I have so many good memories of Jim and Nikki at family gatherings and parties – with us and his AT&T family. He loved his wife and his kids and grandkids so much. He would always show pictures of his kids and grandkids to us on his phone. And he grilled the best burgers ever!! I can see Jim already hosting a BBQ in Heaven with a side dish of his amazing guacamole laughing and celebrating. Rest In Peace dear Jim. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

    8. Jerry Burgess (Jelvis) / April 27, 2020 at 7:46 pm

      All his family and friends called him Jim. I called him Colonel Parker. When I would come to St. Louis and do fun raiser as Jelvis, he was my Colonel Parker all the way. I know he is in Heaven with the real Elvis. Jim I will always remember the times we had so much fun and and a lot of laughs we had. Jim May you Rest In Peace.you will be missed

    9. Cynthia Overton / April 27, 2020 at 8:26 pm

      Nikki and family, So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was truly a jack of all trades and a great family man and friend to so many. Enjoyed the cookouts when I was in town. May he rest in peace

    10. Linda Stinson / April 27, 2020 at 9:36 pm

      It is such a joy to have worked with Jim at AT&T. He was one of a kind. I loved listening to his life stories. He was such a kind soul. May God comfort you all and give you Peace.

    11. Angela Klocke / April 28, 2020 at 8:03 am

      RIP dear Jim. Precious friend, BBQ buddy, generous soul. May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest. You you be greatly missed. Angela, Jonathan and Lila

    12. Jamie and Vicki Wolfe / April 28, 2020 at 9:30 am

      Nikki, Our hearts are broken. Jim will always have a place in our hearts and memories. I hope you can find comfort with the reunion that going on in Heaven without us. Jim, Catie and Yancey together again. Our prayers for peace and understanding are with everyone that Jim loved. We love and miss you..

    13. Kevin Hollander / April 28, 2020 at 10:39 am

      I remember interviewing Jim for a Fleet position at AT&T in St. Louis around the year 2000. He was a perfect fit and he was so excited to join the team. Jim was such a pleasure to work with over the years and he was a hard worker, creative and a great team member. I enjoyed our Happy Hours and visits to Fairmount Race Track. Jim had an infectious laugh and enjoyed life. He had many friends which he truly treasured. He talked about Nikki, his children and grandchildren often. He was always ready for the next adventure. We will miss Jim’s presence as well as his friendship, kindness and laughter. He was truly one of a kind. God will bless Jim and his family.

    14. Lynn Sullins / April 28, 2020 at 2:28 pm

      My heart is heavy with loss. I can only remember the many times he helped Mike and I with our many projects around the house and on the road. As my brother in law and a friend he was always willing to go out of his way. I know my sister is blessed to have the children and grand children around her during this time. God is taking her down a new path but he will never leave her side as she travels.

    15. Wade Hilburn / April 28, 2020 at 3:52 pm

      Let’s me first say to Nikki and the family how sorry I am for your loss. I was lucky enough to get to know Jim when I was a vendor to AT&T. He and I continued to develop our friendship long after I had left my company and he had retired. He was always a voice of reason and inspiration. As a trusted friend he would always offer his advice or just give me a place to vent. I feel blessed that I was able to speak with him in the last month when he called just to talk and have a few laughs. I will truly miss him.

    16. Jeannie McCall / April 28, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      R.I.P. My dear friend and VHS classmate 65.

    17. Bruce Cory / April 28, 2020 at 7:59 pm

      I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Jim during my career with AT&T. I can’t remember one instance when Jim didn’t greet me with a big smile and a bad joke. I treasure our friendship. God bless Jim and his family.

    18. Dan Finnegan / April 29, 2020 at 7:45 am

      Jim is and will continued to be remembered as a Very Special Person. I first met Jim in the early 1970’s when he was an ILLINOIS State Trooper #269. I bought my first car from Jim, a 1969 GTO-one of the fastest cars in DuPage County, IL. Then did something very special that clearly changed the course of my Life and maybe others!. Jim introduced me to Chief Stanley C. Smith of the Tri-State Fire Protection District. I joined the fire department as a paid on call firefighter then went Full Time as a Fire Inspector. That clearly was one of the most important steps in my life that Jim was fully responsible for. Today I am still involved with the Fire Life Safety industry some 45 years later.
      It was very special to get recently reconnected with Jim in person through Facebook. We had a few great meals together with friends that spanned generations.
      My Life would not be what it IS, without Jim Hensley being in my Life
      May Jim rest in peace and will be remembered Always
      Dan

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