James William Polsley was born on April 8, 1950 at the Hand Hospital in Shenandoah, Iowa, the eldest child of  Carroll and Ann (Nocton) Polsley.  Jim entered into eternal peace on October 28, 2021 at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jim was raised in the Coin community along with his sister Kate and brother Doug.  He graduated from South Page High School with the Class of 1968.   He excelled in sports, participating in baseball, basketball, football and track.  His plan following graduation was to attend Iowa Western Community School and play baseball, after being offered a scholarship.  Those plans were short lived once Jim received his draft notice.  Without advice from his parents, he enlisted in the United States Army on December 27, 1968.  Jim took his basic training  in Fort Leonard Wood and received an education in engineer equipment maintenance & repair.  He would then be deployed to Vietnam.  From his service he earned the following medals and awards; National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars, Overseas Service Bar, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ 60 Device, Driver and Mechanic Badge with MQB and a Sharpshooter Qualification Badge-M16.  He completed his service on November 5, 1971 and had earned the rank of SP5.  He was honored to have received a Quilt of Valor while surrounded by family and friends on July 3, 2020.

On December 27, 1969 Jim was united in marriage to Colleen Exceen, it was such a cold and snowy day! They were thrilled to become parents to their daughter Shalee in 1971 and then a son Jake was born in 1974.  They made their home in Coin and later divorced in 1979.   On August 2, 1985 Jim married Sheila Oliver and this union was blessed with a son, Jesse in 1986.  They later divorced in 1990.

For the last 30 years, Jim and Carol Bryson have shared their love and life together,  Jim opening and lovingly welcoming her two daughters, Tiffany and Nicki into his heart and family.

Jim's work life began at an early age.  He loved farming with his grandpa, carried papers for the Omaha World Herald and Des Moines Register, and he helped his dad at the Polsley Conoco Station.  Jim also worked for Eaton Corporation, operated his own trucking business, drove for Earl May Seed and Nursery and also for Sisbro.  After his retirement he worked seasonally for United Farmers.  He excelled as a truck driver as he was always very kind, courteous and prompt.  He had a road map built into his mind.  When he was asked his location or where a city was he would often answer with a mile marker or road number location.

Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf.  He enjoyed deer season and time spent with his group of fellow hunters.  Special times spent with his dad and sons fishing also created many lasting memories.  During football season you could find Jim rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners or the Raiders!  He always looked forward to planting a garden every spring.  He canned the produce and happily shared all of the fruits from his labors with family and friends .  Sunday mornings were spent having coffee  with his dad, until his passing in November of 2020.  Those times meant the world to them both.  Jim was a loving, kind, generous and compassionate man.  He would offer his help without hesitation when needed.  He loved his family with all of his heart.  He was so proud of each and everyone of them.

Those preceding him in death include his grandparents, parents and several aunts and uncles.  Those left to cherish his memory include his children Shalee Laughlin (Jeff), Jake Polsley (Heather) and Jesse Polsley (Megan); siblings Kate Steeve (Carroll) and Doug Polsley (Guylene); aunt Deloris Warnecke; his loving companion Carol Bryson and daughters Tiffany McCarty (Ian) and Nicki Passons (Andrew); grandchildren Devin, Joni, Nate, Koreen, Drake, Dominick, Cadence, Allie, Abby Kate and Boden; great-grandchildren Zeke, Zoey, Zeppelin, & Rylie; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Memorials may be directed to the Coin Fire and Rescue Department or the Shenandoah American Legion Color Guard.