Jim A. Thye, age 60, of Oquawka, Illinois, passed away at 10:12 AM on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa. He was born June 2, 1962 in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Jerald Roland and Gwenyth Rue (Steingraber) Morrison. Jim was a graduate of Union High School. In 1982, he married Paula Howe and they later divorced.
Jim began work at Western Stoneware in Monmouth, IL, where he met his former wife. He then moved to Guymon, OK, where he worked at Hitch Feed Lot and Behne Construction. For a time he worked at Sam’s Well Service. Jim moved back to Illinois in 1988 where he owned and operated his own construction company, Muscatine Utility Service. Over the past several years, Jim completed consulting work for directional drilling.
Jim absolutely loved dogs, and he adopted many over the years. He enjoyed working on his houseboat, watching the eagles and relishing in the solitude of the outdoors.
Jim is survived by two sons, Jason (Edith) Thye of League City, TX and James (Candice) Thye of Kingsbury, TX, five grandchildren, Monika, Dominic, Gladys, Daxton, and Timberlyn, one sister, Angela (Dean) Millizer of Avon, IL, and two brothers, Bradley Thye of Madison, TN and Jerry (Leslie) Thye of Guymon, OK. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Michael, Rachel, Janice, Kelsie, and Felicia and his faithful companion Happy. Jim is proceeded in death by his parents and one brother, Bret Thye.
As were Jim’s wishes, cremation is being accorded. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial be made to Western Illinois Animal Rescue in Monmouth, IL.
