James McMahan Igou

James (Jim) Igou, 87, of Athens, AL passed peacefully from this earth Wednesday, April 7, 2021. He was born November 23, 1933 to the late Milford Thomas and Jessie Scott Igou, and spent most of his life living in Ft. Payne and Athens, AL.  James was a true "Jim of all trades" and found great joy in figuring out, fiddling with, and fixing anything he could get his hands on - from clocks in his garage, to antiques at his shop, to his notoriously meticulous lawn, to spacecraft during his years as an engineer at NASA. 
His life was shaped by a commitment to excellence in all things, and nowhere more so than in the way he loved his family and friends. He usually worked harder in a day than most people could in a week, and he loved people with the same intensity. His hugs were strong, and his deeds were generous. Jim grew up poor, and knew what it was to go without. As as a result, he made it his life's mission to share whatever he had with anyone he met (or even just anyone he heard about). He touched many lives with his gifts of time, service, goods, and technical acumen. 

He was preceded in death by his little sister, Patricia Ann Igou Brown, whom he loved dearly and well. He was also preceded in death by his grandson Nicholas Thomas Igou. 

He is survived by his wife and dearest friend of 67 years, Bonnie Jo Evans Igou. He is also survived by his children Jennie Lynn Igou Head, James Thomas Igou (Deborah), John Mark Igou (Rose), and his grandchildren Emilee Bess Head Lazo (Edgar), James Nelson Head, James William Igou, Nathaniel Mark Igou. 

An outdoor service will be held at 11:00 am EDT at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden (316 N Bragg Ave, Lookout Mountain, TN) on April 13, 2021. Masks will be provided and social distancing will be expected for the safety of loved ones in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim's name to the Dekalb County Public Library or the Humane Society of Dekalb County.  

Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com/tributes/James-Igou to view the memorial tribute and share words of comfort with the family. 
 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.