BUCK CREEK, Ky. — J.M. Atherton, 94, of the Buck Creek Community of McLean County, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. James Marks Atherton was born Dec. 12, 1928, in Ohio County, Kentucky, to the late Ollie and Adena Bell Atherton, was married to the former Doris Marie Hagerman April 23, 1960, and was better known as “J.M.” or “Jay” to both his family and friends.
He was a farmer, retired after 21 years of service at Modern Welding in Owensboro, Kentucky, and was a member of Buck Creek Baptist Church. Jay was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of Utica Lodge # 742 F.& A.M. He enjoyed bus trips, traveling, camping, farming, and spending time with both his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by his daughter, Connie Ann Atherton; by his two sisters, Gertie Knott and Anna Belle Dunn; and by his four brothers, Guy Atherton, Hilton Atherton, Horace Atherton, and Clarence Atherton.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Doris Atherton; four sons, Mark Atherton (Kathy), of Calhoun, Kentucky, Jerry Atherton (Dawn), Paul Atherton (Trish), and Darrell Atherton (Marcia), all of Utica; eight grandchildren, Ben Tyler Atherton, Sara Upchurch (Blake), James Atherton (Nicole), Alicia Hickerson (Levi), Molly Wedding (Bret Fulkerson), Travis Butler (Ashley), Aaron Butler, and Dakota Butler; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Buck Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Tommy Webb and Ron Wells officiating. Burial will be in the Buck Creek Baptist Cemetery in McLean County with Military Honors conducted by the McLean County Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5415. Friends may visit with Jay’s family from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.. Thursday at Muster Funeral Homes, Livermore Chapel, and from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Friday at Buck Creek Baptist Church. Masonic services for Jay will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Musters in Livermore.
The J.M. Atherton family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Buck Creek Baptist Church, Men’s Ministry; 3788 U.S. Highway 431 North; Calhoun, Kentucky 42327.
Share your memories and photos of Jay at musterfuneralhomes.com.
