James Everett Bohannon, Jr., 96, of Bowling Green passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on June 11, 2023, in Bowling Green, Ky.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend and is survived by his children: Leigh Bohannon Harper (Michael), James Everett Bohannon, III (Jan), William Banks Bohannon, Philip Lindsay Bohannon (Lise), Alexandra Blanche Greer Bohannon; grandchildren: Christopher Brook Talley (Amanda), Richard Michael Talley (Nicole), James Everett Bohannon IV (Cindy), Philip William Bohannon, Alice Mathews Bohannon, Evelyn Elizabeth Banks Bohannon and Philip Lindsay Bohannon, Jr. (Megan); great grandchildren: Braxton Everett Talley and Jackson Thomas Talley; sisters, Patsy Bohannon Montelli and Phyllis Bohannon Houchin.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Banks Bohannon.
Jim was born in Smiths Grove, Ky. on September 21, 1926, the son of James Everett and Blanche Greer Bohannon.
He graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1944, where he was a starter on the varsity basketball team. During World War II, he served his country for two years with honor and pride in the U.S. Navy. He was very proud to be a Navy man. He played basketball on the Navy circuit. While serving on LST 561, he and Ernie Plank built a fast and lasting friendship. Jim was on deployment for combat from Green Cove Springs Naval base when the war ended.
Following the war, his coach suggested Jim play for Kansas Coach Phog Allen. Instead, he returned to Western Kentucky University where he said he needed to be with the love of his life, Evelyn Banks. While at Western, he played basketball for Coach Ed Diddle on two of the greatest teams in Hilltopper history, ranked as high as #2 in the nation. Jim was the “6th man” on those great teams. A highlight of his career was the challenge of guarding College Basketball Player of the Year, “Easy Ed” Macauley, of St. Louis University in the Semi-Finals of the 1948 NIT at Madison Square Garden.
Jim and Evelyn were married May 29, 1948 and honeymooned at Hollywood Beach, FL. In 1949, Jim received his degree from Western and he and Evelyn began their family. He joined his father at the J.E. Bohannon Tobacco Company of Bowling Green and Kinston, N.C. As Executive Vice-President, he traveled worldwide developing the Company’s international business. He served as Company President from 1976 until its merger with Thorpe-Greenville Tobacco Company in 1978.
In 1965, he founded JB Distributors, Anheuser-Busch Wholesaler in Bowling Green and South-Central Kentucky. Under his leadership, JB Distributors operated as the market leader for over 50 years. JB Distributors was strongly committed as an active civic partner with the regional community.
First and foremost, Jim was a man of faith. He had great faith in God, his family, and his many friends. He was caring and helpful to those in need. He was very proud of his children and their families. He loved his wife, Evelyn, with all of his heart and soul. He was devoted to Evelyn all of their lives together, as well as for the past 23 years since her passing. He and Evelyn loved traveling and making memories with family, especially on annual beach vacations. They both loved the beach; he especially loved sunning. He loved fishing with his buddies, as well as with his children and grandchildren. Jim and Evelyn loved their annual “Board Meetings” with Georgeanna & Bart Hagerman, Jane Lamb, and Pat & Shirley Underwood. He loved horseracing and handicapping the races, especially the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown. He enjoyed many years of driving to “The Line” to make a winning wager. He loved to take grandchildren to hunt for buckeyes on Western’s campus in the fall. He always carried a lucky buckeye and typically had an extra to give to another for good luck. He had a love of sports, fitness, and competition and of the underlying principles of self-discipline, commitment, courage, mutual respect, and hard work. He taught those principles in his own life’s example; as a father, a business leader, and as a coach to youngsters. He said if he had not gone into the business world, he would have liked to have been a coach. He was a great coach to many, in all walks of life. He was loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Heaven and Evelyn are better today.
Jim was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church and was a Founding Board Member and supporter of the Boys & Girls Club. The Bohannon Family wishes to extend special thanks to Michele Henry-Stevenson and to caregivers Ruby McCluskey, Veronica Hoosier, Alexia Kelly, Stacey Ewer and Star Bartley for their compassionate care.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1215 State St., Bowling Green, Ky. from 11am-12pm. Funeral services will be held in the Sanctuary at 12pm. with a burial service immediately following at Fairview Cemetery. Pallbearers include grandsons, James Bohannon IV, Lindsay Bohannon, Jr., Philip Bohannon, Brook Talley, Michael Talley, and great grandsons Braxton Talley and Jackson Talley. Honorary Pallbearers include Bob Demuth, Dee Demuth, Philip Demuth, Stan England, David Hagerman, Tom Hagerman, Bob Kirby, Jack Lamb, Jim Lamb, Tony Montelli, and Jody Stevenson. A Celebration of Life will be held at Bowling Green Country Club from 2-4:30 pm.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to: Christ Episcopal Church, 1215 State St., Bowling Green, KY 42101, Boys & Girls Club of Bowling Green, 260 Scott Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101, HOTEL INC, 1005 Boatlanding Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101. Arrangements have been entrusted to J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel.
