James Lee "Jim" Upton

UPTON, James Lee “Jim”, age 84, of Vandalia, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Hearth and Home of Vandalia. Jim was born January 10, 1941 in Dayton, Ohio, son of the late Jesse & Kathryn (Beck) Upton. He was a 1959 graduate of Vandalia-Butler High School, an Eagle Scout, an ATA and NRA Life Member. He was owner and “Big Time Operator” of Upton Landscaping. Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed deer hunting, duck hunting, fishing, trapshooting, gambling and watching his children and grand-children play sports. He loved an iced-cold Diet Coke and “My Old Kentucky Home.”

Jim is survived by his loving, devoted, saint of a wife of 62 years, Patricia (Jackson) Upton; 3 children, Dawn Akers, Diana Chuvalas (Rick) and Deron Upton (Lora); 5 grandchildren, Jesse Akers (Tierney), Katie Upton, Annie O’Dell, Calvin Upton and Jack Akers; two step-grandchildren Amber DeLeon (Chaz) and Austin Chuvalas (Nicole), 3 great-grandchildren, Amirah, Cora and Cooper; and 5 step-great-grandchildren; Alana, Mariana, Cruz, Nolan and Gus along with extended family members and many wonderful friends.

A gathering of friends and family will be held to celebrate Jim from 4-7 pm, Tuesday, April 1 at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, 139 S. Dixie Dr., Vandalia. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to one of the following charities: The Todd & Rodney Wasson Memorial Fund, c/o The Dayton Foundation, The Blake LaForce #41 Memorial Fund, c/o The Dayton Foundation, or to Day City Hospice in Jim’s memory. Envelopes will be available at the celebration service.