Jimmy Ray Stickley was born February 14, 1934, in Guide Rock, NE to Ray & Maude (Hopkins) Stickley. The family moved to Colorado when Jim was a child. Jim's mom passed away when he was 3. His dad remarried Gladys Gregg. The family farmed around Snyder most of his life. He attended Snyder school until he joined the marine corps at 17. Jim was a proud marine for the rest of his life. He served from 1951 – 1956. He served during the Korean War and spent time as a tank mechanic. He collected so many Marine memorabilia, and he always proudly flew his marine corps flag. In 1953, home on leave in Brush, he met the love of his life. Theirs is truly one of the greatest love stories. He met Dora Reidle at Crain's Cage where she was working at the time. Five days later they ran off and got married. She was 16, and he was 19. They moved to California where he was stationed. They had 2 children while there, and in 1956 they moved back to Brush, where 3 more children were born. They were devoted to each other for almost 67 years until her passing. Jim worked as a truck driver when they moved back and worked for the Brush Police Department for a while, until getting into the plumbing business. He worked for many years as a plumber before starting his own business.  He owned and ran Morgan Race Ways for 10 years; it was a big part of his life.

Jim was one of the nicest guys you would ever meet. Nobody ever had a bad word to say about him. Everyone loved him. He loved his family and would do anything for his kids and grandkids. He was always there. The world has lost an exceptional man.

He is survived by his five children, Jim Stickley Jr., Joy (Tim) Ludgate, Cindy Bates, Kim (Dan) Dudden and Tammy (Mitch) Heisel; 13 grandchildren, Timmy, Jason, Jenny, Angie, Tiffany, April, Christopher, Krystal, Amanda, Travis, Ryan, Alex and Andrew, along with their spouses, 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Tom Hagen; and sister, Janice Baker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Marvin; two sisters, Verna and Tonna; his beloved wife of 67 years, Dora; daughter-in-law, Max Stickley; and great-granddaughter, Namine.

A Memorial Service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brush, Friday, April 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM, followed by inurnment at Serenity Falls in Fort Morgan.