James “Jimmy” Lee Easom
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James “Jimmy” Lee Easom, 58 of Lawrence, Kansas passed away on January 19, 2025 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Jimmy was born on December 1, 1966, in Arkansas where soon after he was adopted by his parents Paula (Dunavin) Guffey and James Easom.
Jimmy grew up in Eudora, Kansas and attended Eudora High School, where he was very active in sports including Football, Basketball, and Track and Field. It would be in Track and Field where he would set a number of school records that he would hold for over a decade. Due to a vehicle accident in 1984, which left him paralyzed, he would have to find another way to participate in the sports that he so deeply loved. This led to him playing for a number of years in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s adult league. Although he encountered many physical challenges, he faced them all head on with his characteristic humor, big personality, and warm heart.
While he had a massive love for sports he also loved anything mechanical, this included working on and flying drones and working on cars (he had a special fondness for hot rods and vintage cars). He also loved spending time with his many friends and family.
He was previously employed as an AutoCad Drafter at Hollis and Miller Architects.
Survivors include two sisters, Deborah Easom-Mellone, Lawrence, Tara (Greg) Dawes, Topeka, and his stepfather Ogene Johnson, Perry. He is also survived by his father James Easom, Ozark, Ark. along with a niece and nephew, two great nephews, a great niece and many extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother Paula (Dunavin) Guffey.
The family will be hosting a private celebration of life for friends and family at a later date to be announced.
I am a lifelong friend of Jim ,was a great guy .He was loved by all and will be so missed. His mother my best friend Paula was always concerned about him! I will miss both so much! You are always in my thoughts and love you both!
I moved from Kansas when I was young but I remember Jimmy always full of life and loved sports. The few times I came home to visit, he always had a smile and a wonderful attitude even though life had been unkind to him. I will remember him young and full of life and I know that he is with his Mother and no longer suffering. It was a privilege to have him as a cousin and he will be missed. My prayers go out to all his remaining family and friends.
He was a tall kid that lived down the street. I’d seen him around, but we “met” when he showed up in my yard with couple of gloves and a baseball. It wasn’t long before he had me pitching on the All-Star team where he was the catcher, and his dad was our coach. We had a blast that summer..baseball, sleepovers, mowing lawns for fireworks money..he became my best friend.
I wasn’t much, but Jimmy was a hell of an athlete. I believe he was the first to dunk a basketball in our group, and I was sure that he’d probably play baseball next level on a scholarship.
A car accident robbed him of that chance, and left him paraplegic. Even so, he continued to compete where he could, as was his nature.
His nature… Jimmy was onery. He loved hot-rods, and even the accident didn’t keep him from living on the edge. But his true nature was to make everything more fun. You weren’t bored around Jimmy, he didn’t allow it. Whether it was his quick wit, a joke on tap, or a prank up his sleeve..that sly grin spoke volumes you couldn’t hear, (until you were clutching your sides and trying to catch your breath.)
I’ve thought a lot about that.. How he never whined or complained about the accident. How he must have felt “robbed” but never said it. How he just kept making us laugh..
His sister put him on the phone with me before he left.. I cried as he assured me he was ready to go. “I’ll be fine brother..It’s all good.”
Jimmy was always so much stronger.. Turns out I would’ve looked up to him even if he was’t taller than me.
Jimmy was a wonderful guy, always fun to be around. Sending hugs and prayers to Debbie and his family
Jimmy (Bubby) was not only my brother but my best friend. He was a gentle soul who was against confrontations and truly wanted peace. I remember when he got his peace symbol tattooed on his chest years ago maybe to remind others how petty arguments are.
Thank you for always being my constant in this crazy, ever changing world.
He made sure at a young age I knew how to clean a carburetor and even more importantly how to play basketball. Sports was such a big part of his life and when he was no longer able to play he and Richard played on his game system.
He never let his limitations stop him from obtaining any/all goals.
He always made everyone laugh with his sense of humor and smile with his warm inviting ways.
I will miss dinner/movie nights with him every day for the rest of my life but knowing he had a loving caregiver and family and friends that reminded him daily how loved he is till the end. You are free now bubby and all limitations have been removed. Rest in peace now. You have earned this release from pain.
Love you always
Jimmy had such a refreshing and always positive attitude. Our conversations were truly next level, the kind that stayed with me and kept me coming back for more over the years. As life moved on and friends drifted apart while families grew, I often thought of Jimmy. Whenever I ran into him, he was still that same refreshing breath of air. He will truly be missed. Goodbye, my friend.
Jimmy is a great friend and teammate. The dunk goals out at Kaw valley farm school, countless hours of hoopn it up and other recreactional activities. Jimmy had a big “boom box”, it was loud ! He always brought it with us to track meets. AC/DC, Van Halen, Motely Crue, and of course Led Zeppelin, were some favorites. Sweet leaf- Black Sabbath, Life is just a fantasy- Aldo Nova were always played. He let me take it home a couple of times, I carried it back to school the next morning, jamming all the way there. Jimmy held the 7th and 8th grade high jump records for a time. Bullet boys in the yellow van, on a cassette tape ! Lol! Heart of America basketball camp in Salina, we had a great time, Jimmy and Shawn putting a bunch of salt and pepper on my salad, while I went to fill their drinks back up, came back and ate the whole salad, saying man this is really good salad, him and Shawn laughing the whole time I was eating it. Babe Ruth baseball, Jimmy was catching, I was pitching, and then Dean pitched too. My Dad was coach. Robert music was umpire, he wasn’t doing a good job of calling balls and strikes, even my Dad was getting upset. Jimmy was letting Robert know about and they about got into it, and after the game as well, I know Jimmy could of took him ! Lol ! And if the boys want to fight……you better let them. I could go on. Lot of memories with Jimmy. I will miss him very much. Rest in peace my friend, I’ll never forget you !
I had been Blessed with the gift of being introduced to THE MOST AWSOME “JIMMY JAMM” himself’ less than 2 years ago !! and I have been Eternally Greatfull EVER SINCE !!!!! Jimmy n I hit it off so great from the very moment we first met ‘ that the person whom introduced us that day’ literally had left us an hour n a half before we even noticed they weren’t there anymore !! That really happened !! We laughed out butts off at the time and always enjoyed bringing up that fact about the day we met ‘ telling other friends of it …just in case we were rude to them while visiting with one another ‘ so they might understand for us any better ! !! I am Greatfull to be able to say that I do more than KNOW that JIMMY definitely KNEW THAT I ABSOLUTELY KNEW JUST HOW AWSOME I THOT HE WAS & THAT I LOVED & ADORED HIM AS WELL AS HIS TRUE SAGGITERIAN SPIRIT VERY BIGTIME MASSIVELY MUCH !!!!! Cannot describe in words how hard it was for me to have gone to his door to see why I wasn’t able to reach him on his phone …only to find out from the man whom answered his door to me …that JIMMY had passed away the night before …just THE NIGHT BEFORE !!!! I have cried and grieved every day at some point in each day ‘ ever since . Bless our MOST AMAYZING JIMMY JAMMS AND HIS ENDURRING BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT !!!!! WE WERE SO LUCKY TO HAVE HAD HIM WHILE WE DID !!! HE WILL BE FOREVER MISSED NO DOUBT !!!!! amen !!!
Jimmy, was always was the life of the room, he was always a great friend my only regrets is not spending enough time with him. I will always miss him
Sorry to hear about Jimmy passing. I know he will be missed. I coached him in Little League baseball.
Tim and Ronda Shepard
I remember the first time when I moved in next to him . All he could talk about was his car. I started fixing him food , and bringing it over for him to eat and Cleaning for him.because friends help each other.We became more than just friends and neighbors. We were family. He tried teaching me how to use his drones.. never caught on to it. But it was something he loved doing .We had many holiday dinners and Christmas times together. For last 6 yrs. My oldest son would come over and help him fix his car for him.. something I knew nothing about . When I got my computer . Since he was so knowledgeable . He taught me how to use it . The most memories I will cherish . Is even if he didn’t feel great that day . He could call me up to come over. Just to watch TV . He has the best mom and family ever, and never wanted to see anyone left out . He was “Always” so cheerful, happy, and had a honest ,caring warm heart. Jimmy is Someone I called my “brother” because we were there for one another no matter what. I miss him so much . But I know we will meet up again. I love you best friend…forever and always .
I was lucky I got to know Jimmy so well he was my last stop of the day and he had a peaceful soul . Always had me laughing especially a few weeks before he passed he was out working on his neighbors car and I waited as he explained how the front axles worked . Spent time watching KU play basketball . He touched my heart in the most purest ways .
In all the years I knew Jimmy not one time did I see or hear him complain about his life. We all can learn a lesson from Jimmy, be happy ever day because it is a gift! My friend enjoy your peace and we all will see you again. You will not be forgotten.