Paul “Jim” Sidebottom of Summersville, Kentucky, born May 18, 1945 in the house built by his 3rd great-grandparents on the family farm, passed away on April 15, 2025 at Baptist Health Hardin. He was 79 years of age.
Jim was the son of Loy and Maudie Jones Sidebottom, a graduate of Green County High School, and attendee of Campbellsville College. Having said, farm boys needed to find trainable city girls because farm girls already knew how hard farming could be, he found one of his own in 1967.
On November 29, 1968, Ona Raye Buckner became his bride and forever life companion. Their first year together was spent in Europe courtesy of the US Army, after which they returned home to start their own family with the birth of son Paul Stacy in 1970, followed by daughters Anna Maude in 1976 and Laura Raye in 1985. After years running a floor covering business, Jim decided to return to the family blood of farming in late 1981, purchasing a small Green County dairy and steadily growing it into a successful, family-run enterprise.
Jim served as President of the KY Dairy Development Council; member of Governor Steve Beshear’s Agriculture Development Board; and a board member of various other committees. In 2011, Kentucky Farm Bureau bestowed him the honor of KY Farmer of the Year. In his scant spare time, Jim enjoyed working on farm vehicles and classic cars, specializing in 1965-67 Ford Mustangs and 1929-31 Ford Model A’s.
Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ona Buckner Sidebottom of Summersville; son and daughter-in-law: Stacy and Lora Sidebottom of Summersville; two daughters and sons-in-law: Anna Maude and Anthony “Tony” Lucio of Frankfort, Laura Raye and Ray Hagedorn of Tell City, Indiana. Granddaughters to Jim: Madison Sidebottom and Symphony Keeton of Trinity AL, Allison Sidebottom and fiancé Tyler Gardener of Summersville, KY, Bethany Lucio and Beverly Lucio of Frankfort, KY. Grandson: Grant Paul Hagedorn of Tell City, Indiana; a sister-in-law: Sylvia Sidebottom of Gabe; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in transition by parents: Loy and Maudie Jones Sidebottom; siblings: Duval and Philip Hay, Harold and Wheat Sidebottom, David Sidebottom, Betsy & Dale Shuffett; granddaughter Grace Sidebottom.
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The graveside service for Paul “Jim” Sidebottom will be conducted at 11 A.M., Central Time, Friday, April 18, 2025 at the Sidebottom Cemetery with Full Military Honors by the Marion County Honor Guard. Bro. Kelvin Edwards officiating.
Visitation is requested from 4 until 8 P.M., Central Time, Thursday at the Cowherd & Parrott Funeral Home.
The family has requested that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Local Food Bank.
Cowherd and Parrott Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
PALLBEARERS:
James David Shuffett, Tim Shuffett, Bill Shuffett,
Jonah Sidebottom, Larkin Sidebottom, David Lewis Sidebottom,
Don Sidebottom, Brian Scott, David Corbin