Breckinridge County KyArchives Obituaries.....Voyles, James L. 2017 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ky/kyfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Dana Brown http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00005.html#0001067 October 31, 2017, 11:51 am Burns Funeral Home On September 29, 2017, James L. (Jim) Voyles, age 58, an affable music afficionado and sports enthusiast who was born at Perry County Hospital and raised in Cloverport, Kentucky, by his parents, Scott Morrison Voyles and Betty (Derrick) Voyles, passed away peacefully after a long struggle and courageous battle with cancer. Jim lived in Owensboro, Kentucky, and left this world to be with the three-men he admired most, the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. Jim was active in sports during all of his years in school. In elementary school, he was a proud member of the Cloverport All Stars Baseball team. He also played sports in high school, and during those years, Jim began a tour as a professional wrestler in the early years of that sport, and participated in wrestling events in many cities in Kentucky. After attending college, Jim became an ordained Baptist minister. Jim became an accomplished preacher who helped reach people in many small communities without a regular and resident minister. He frequently blended old and new movie quotes and song lyrics with biblical passages to drive home points that resonated with his audience. Ultimately, Jim became associated with Macedonia Baptist Church, where he further honed his preaching skills and instilled enthusiasm and commitment from those who heard him speak. While employed in the circulation department at the Evansville Courier, Jim's enjoyment of sports led him to become a basketball referee, and he regularly officiated on Friday nights at area high schools. Jim always promoted good sportsmanship at all those events, and was not reluctant to toss out coaches who failed to be good sports or tried to prevail by bullying. Jim began employment with the City of Owensboro, first as manager of Hillcrest Golf Course, then later as Recreation Superintendent. Jim's passion for amateur and college sports caused him to initiate competitive sports recruiting and organizing and hosting sports tournaments and championship play for the City of Owensboro. He traveled to sports recruitment conventions and helped secure tournaments that brought many people from other states to Kentucky to compete in championships that brought great amateur sports to the Owensboro community. His significant contribution to those community efforts established the foundation for sports tourism that continues to this day. He was a driving force in helping Owensboro to receive recognition as an All-American Sports City. After leaving employment with the City of Owensboro, Jim formed his own sport recruiting and sport-wear companies and continued to recruit amateur sports tournaments for Owensboro, and later for other cities, including Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was most proud of his appointment as a Commissioner for American Softball Association, and for the successes as an entrepreneur and the growth of his businesses. Jim enjoyed spending time with his friends, learning about many topics, and expertly debating on them. His keen intellect and piercing sense of humor educated and entertained those who spent time with him. Jim's gift to those who knew him was his ability to make them laugh, and simply enjoy life while in his company. Jim leaves behind his family, brother John Voyles, and sisters Beverly Rush and Rosalind Westerfield, and his dear cousin Sue Jorgenson. He is survived by his special friend and care-taker Barbie Estes, the love of his life, two step-daughters Schaefer (Jake) Freshwater and Megan Estes (Jesse Roberts), three grandchildren, Pierce, Penny and Weston, and his nieces and nephews who were loved and special to him. He also leaves behind his life-long friend Greg Catron, and his good friend Frank Brancato, and many, many other friends who helped him in his endeavors, and who Jim also helped as a loyal and committed friend. Jim was a unique and caring individual and there is a great emptiness in Jim's passing, and he will be greatly missed. Very special thanks to the staff at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, who always provided excellent care and comfort to Jim, and who enjoyed his sense of humor mingled with his lectures on politics, and opinions on life. Services have been arranged through Cloverport Funeral Home. Visitation is on October 2, 2017 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM, and on October 3, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM., followed by a memorial service, all at the funeral home and then internment in the Cloverport Cemetery. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ky/breckinridge/obits/v/voyles7247gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/