James Lee (Jim) Ausmus

Mr. James Lee (Jim) Ausmus , age 82 formerly of LaFollette passed away July 24, 2018.  He was born 2/6/36 to Lawrence and Mary Ausmus in Speedwell, TN.  He grew up in LaFollette and graduated LaFollette High School in 1954 where he was The Owls football QB and captain. It was there he met his future wife, Charlotte Moore. They married on 12/23/59. Jim served in the US Army as a medic in Panama while Charlotte was a teacher in Wyoming. After the Army, they moved to Albany, OR where Jim obtained his BS in Forestry and Charlotte taught. Their daughter Amanda was born in 1965 and soon after, Jim & Charlotte moved to Edmonds, WA to begin his career as a pharmaceutical salesman. Their daughter Holly was born in 1969 in Lynnwood, WA where they built their life together for the next 45 years. Their love was an example for all to follow.

Jim and Charlotte were active members of the Edmonds United Methodist Church for 40+ years and had countless friends in WA, OR, and TN.  They returned to LaFollette as often as possible to visit extended family and friends.  Jim had a long career working as a pharmaceutical sales rep, a general contractor, a welder on the Alaska pipeline, and spent his last working years at Boeing on the 737 assembly line. Jim was a devoted husband, father, and beloved “Poppy” to his grandchildren. He was a Southern Gentleman as well as a gentle man of God. He never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte; parents Lawrence and Mary (Silas) Ausmus; brothers Ken and Dan Ausmus; niece Danielle Ausmus; and sister-in-law Sue (Moore Cathcart) Wiese.  After Charlotte’s death, Jim spent time with family and friends: Holly who lived in Hawaii at the time; Amanda and family in GA, CT, and IL; college buddies in WA and OR.  He lived his final years in Barrington, IL where he passed peacefully after a prolonged battle with dementia.

Jim is survived by his daughters Holly Ausmus of Portland OR; Amanda & Mike Demetre and grandchildren Eleanor, Ava & Zachary of Kildeer IL; niece Melissa (Cathcart) Sprague of Woodinville WA; and brother Doyle Ausmus of LaFollette.

His memorial service will be held at Fincastle Methodist Church on Sunday, August 5 at 2pm. Donations may be made to the church in lieu of flowers. Interment to follow at Fincastle Methodist Church Cemetery.  Online condolences for Mr. Ausmus may be made at www.waltersfuneralhome.net.  Walters Funeral Home of LaFollette is honored to be serving the family of Mr. James Lee (Jim) Ausmus.