James (Jim) Lyle Wilkey, 82, of Beaumont, died on Friday, September 18, 2026. He was born on May 1, 1944, in Sterling, Kansas to Isabelle Pearl and Elmer Edgar Wilkey.

Jim was a graduate of Kansas University. He started his career in Corpus Christi at Celanese Corporation. His next venture was to Jefferson Chemical in Groves. In the time he was with Jefferson Chemical it transitioned to Texaco Chemical and then to Huntsman. He retired after 34 years as a Sr. Staff Chemist. He was most proud of all his grandchildren and looked forward to all the summer family beach trips.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; daughters, Sandy Plagman and husband, Johnny of Port Neches, Carrie Hightower and husband, Gary of Bridge City, Hollie Singleton and husband, Steven of Orange; grandchildren, Jordan Guidry and husband, Zachary of New Braunfels, Logan Hightower of Groves, Morgan Singleton and Fiancé, Jalin Johnson of Beaumont, Gage Singleton of Orange, Case Singleton of Orange; great grandchildren, Bennett Guidry of New Braunfels, Ella Guidry of New Braunfels, and Royce Johnson of Beaumont; brother, Ron Wilkey of Wichita, Kansas; niece, Erin Wilkey-Oh of Oakland, California.

Preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dennis Wilkey and grandchildren, Cristin and Katie Grubbs.

A gathering of Jim's family and friends will be held from 5:00pm until 6:00pm, with a service beginning at 6:00pm, on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home, 1605 Avenue H, Nederland, Texas.