James "Jimmy" Robert Gingles

James “Jimmy” Robert Gingles, age 70, died peacefully at home on December 30, 2025.
 
Jimmy was born on March 14, 1955, in Murray, Kentucky, to Rob and Gwen (Nance) Gingles. He graduated from Murray High School in 1973 and Murray State University in 1983.
 
Anyone who knew Jimmy knew he had one of the most unique and fun-loving personalities around. Like his brother Johnny, he was a fixture in the Murray-Calloway County community. Since 1984, Jimmy delighted crowds as a show magician, performing at schools, birthday parties, fairs, traveling shows, and countless local events.
 
Following college, he worked as a disc jockey at WNBS before moving to Nashville, where he spent time in entertainment circles alongside close friends Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, and Guy Clark. In the 1990s, he opened Rainbow Sno, operating the beloved snow cone and fresh fruit hut for more than 30 years. He also worked alongside his mother, Gwen, managing Gingles Apartments for the past 40 years.
 
Jimmy was an avid collector of eclectic antiques, oddities, and memorabilia. He was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and never missed a University of Kentucky basketball game. Telling jokes and pulling pranks were a hallmark of time spent with Jimmy, and those who knew him are certain there will never be another quite like him.
 
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister he lost at birth, Nancy Ann Gingles, and his brother, John “Johnny” Gingles, who passed away shortly after him on January 6, 2026.
 
He is survived by his mother, Gwen; his nephew, Rob Gingles and wife Kayla of Murray; his nephew, Hunter Gingles of Murray; and his niece, Ellen Prinzi of Jupiter, Florida. He is also survived by many dear friends and his crew at the Big Apple Café, where he was known for frequent impromptu magic shows.
 
Visitation will be held at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. with a private family burial to follow. John Dale will officiate the funeral service. This will be a joint service with his brother, Johnny Gingles.
 
Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com