James Edward Wathen

James (Jim) Edward Wathen, 56, of Owensboro, passed away on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at his home. He was born on July 14, 1955. Jim was a retired associate professor of HVAC/R and chairman of the Advanced Technology and Trades Division at Owensboro Community and Technical College. He was a board member of the Owensboro Area Museum of Science and History, had been through the Leadership Owensboro Program and was on their staff, and was a KY Colonel. Jim had received an award for the Outstanding Program of the Year for Kentucky Vocational Schools, also received an award for Outstanding Teacher of the Year, and was a board member of the Owensboro Technical College. He was a member of Rivertree Church on Salem Drive where he was an Elder Deacon. He also loved spending time with his grandsons, fishing, going on vacations with friends, and all University of Louisville sports. He was preceded in death by his father, James William Wathen, his mother, Kathryn Nugent Wathen Dowell, his stepfather, Eugene "Buck" Dowell, and his brother, David Eugene Dowell

Jim leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Rebecca (Becky) Keller Wathen, his son, James Heath Wathen, his daughter, Candice Wathen Dent and husband David, three grandsons, Nate, Tommy, and Ethan Dent, two sisters, Joella Wathen Edge and husband Denny, Debby Dowell Johnson and husband Dennis "Butch", and many other very special family and friends.

Services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, July 6 at the Rivertree Church Auditorium. Burial will follow in Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and after 10:00 A.M. Friday at Rivertree Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Jim Wathen Memorial Fund, c/o Rivertree Church, 600 Salem Dr., Owensboro, KY 42303. Online condolences may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.