Dateline: East Alton, IL

James Lee Atkinson, 89, died at 9:50 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018 at Rosewood in Alton. He was born April 12, 1928 in Harrisburg, IL the son of Leonard and Ina (Burrows) Atkinson. He was a private first class in the US Army and retired from Con Agra in Alton. He was a member of Sanford Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Jim loved gardening and traveling. On January 24, 1959 in East Alton he married Jackie (McCoy) and she survives. Also surviving are one daughter, Julie Paul (Lynn) of Godfrey one son, Jim Atkinson of East Alton, and three grandchildren, Erika Paul of Alton, Trevor Paul of Brooklyn, NY and Hannah Paul of Ft Worth, TX. He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Atkinson. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until time of funeral at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton with Pastor Dan Bowers officiating. Burial will be private at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. Memorials may be made to Sanford Avenue Baptist Church. Additional information and online guest book may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com