James Ray Potts

     Jim, a beloved son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, left this Earth on July 6, 2025, at age 68.  He passed away at Sutter Amador Hospital in Jackson, California, following a brief but fierce battle against cancer.  Jim's journey began on May 13, 1957, in Placerville, California, as the fourth child born to Donald Allen Potts and Bobbie Sue Potts.  He attended three years of elementary school in Placerville before moving to Ione, California, in 1965. He attended Ione Elementary School and graduated from Ione High School in 1975.  That same year, he married Patricia Conard, went to work for Owens-Illinois, and became a father to a son on Christmas Day.  He worked at the sand plant in various positions until retirement in 2012, living in Ione the entire time.  During those years, Jim married a second time, to Tambra Tisserand, and had another son and a daughter. In youth, he attended the former First Baptist Church of Ione, and in later years attended Sutter Creek Church of the Nazarene.

     Jim enjoyed watching baseball and football games, and enjoyed reading old westerns and mysteries.  He had a good mind for trivia and crossword puzzles and had uncanny luck playing Scrabble.  He loved walking through town to get his lottery scratchers and got to know many people along the way.

     Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Bobbie.  He is survived by his father, Donald, two brothers, Robert (Karen), and Don, and two sisters, Glory and Nancy. Missing him greatly are his children, Jim (Amanda), Jarred, and Jennifer.  Surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Maddy, Lily, Luke, Grace, Taylon, Regan (Matt), Ollie, Jaylin, Brynnlee, Jack, and Archie. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Sara, Roberta, Michele, Rob, Toni, Hailey, Shelia, Jaclyn, Jacob, Tim, Roger, Evan, James, Layla, Millie, and Adelaide. 

     Jim will truly be missed and remembered dearly by family and friends.  He will be laid to rest in the Ione Public Cemetery.  A graveside interment and memorial will be held in September, to be announced later.