James Robert DeSpain

Frankfort - Services for James Robert Jim DeSpain, 85, will be conducted from Harrod Brothers Funeral Home at 1pm Wednesday, April 22, 2015, with Reverend Esther Sapp officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will be received at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-7pm. Mr. DeSpain passed away Thursday at Golden Living Center, Frankfort. Jim was born August 4, 1929, in Paducah, KY, one of four children to Thomas Harry and Pauline Watson DeSpain. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and served his country for three years before his Honorable Discharge as Sergeant in 1949. He received his B.S. degree from Davis and Elkins College, WV in 1954, majoring in Physical Education and Mathematics, and earned his Masters and Rank I in Education from Murray State University. During his tenure as teacher and coach at Paducah Tilghman High School, his baseball team won the 1960 State Baseball Championship. During his teaching career, Jim was Assistant Principal at Paducah Tilghman High School for three years, Principal at Henry County High School, TN for two years before accepting position of Assistant Superintendent at Grayson County Public Schools. Starting a career with KY State Government in 1974, Jim retired from the Bureau of Education for Exceptional Children in November 1984. Mr. DeSpain was a member of Central Kentucky Retired Teachers Association. He and his wife, Donna Carroll May DeSpain, are the owners of DeSpain Studio and Gallery, LLC, Frankfort. In addition to his wife of 33 years, Jim is survived by a daughter, Janet (Ron) Brotherson, Paducah; brother, Jerry (Carolyn) DeSpain, Owensboro; sister, Dorothy Parrott, Grand Rivers; grandchildren, Jennifer Reed and Jonathan Durr; three great grandchildren, Sebastian, Lorabelle, and Sophia Grace; and cherished friends, Louis and Phyllis McClain, and their children, Stephanie, Billie Jo, and Brandon. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Tommy DeSpain; and sister, Vitrude DeSpain. Brandon McClain, Louis McClain, Ron Brotherson, Ronald Hockensmith, Jonathan Durr, Sebastian Hammer, and John K. Dearing will honor Jim by serving as Pallbearers. Flowers are welcome, or expressions of sympathy in Mr. DeSpain''s memory are suggested to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 663 Teton Trail, Frankfort, KY 40601, or Life House for Animals, P O Box 1365, Frankfort, KY 40602. Arrangements are under the kind and compassionate care of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home; condolences may be shared via the online guest book at www.harrodbrothers.com.

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James Robert DeSpain

August 4, 1929 - April 16, 2015