James R "Jim" Pannell, 83, of Memphis passed away on Friday May 14, 2021. He was born August 16 , 1937 to Clara and Lee Roy Pannell. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 60 years Betty Pannell , daughter Kathy Pannell East, son Randy Pannell, sisters Dorothy Hadaway, Wilma Holland, and Mary Evelyn Prestage. He leaves his sons Ricky ( Gina) , Darin (Sherry) , and Steve (Karen) Pannell, 11 grandchildren, Glenda, Holli, Pace, Blake, Katie, Kelsi, Randi, Jessica, Ryan, Eric & Steven, 2 great grandchildren Jax and Peyton , and 2 sisters , Sherry (Jim) Moore and Judy (Allen) Green. He graduated high school in 1955 from Bartlett High where he lettered in baseball, football, & basketball. In 2004 he was inducted into the Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame for fast pitch softball after having played more than 39 years. He also loved fishing and hunting. Jim retired from MLGW after 27 years of service to begin a plumbing business, Jim Pannell Heating & Plumbing , where he installed water heaters for Sears for another 25 years. Most of all, he was honest , hard working and a loving and devoted husband. H e had many friends, he loved Jesus and he loved his family. He cherished his sisters, was proud of his children and he especially adored his grandchildre n.

Visitation will be Tuesday May 18 th from 5 to 7 pm and funeral will be Wednesday May 19 th at 10 am, all services will be held at Forest Hill Funeral Home on Whitten Road.