Mr. James Hyatt “Jim” Layton, age 66, of 32 East Camellia Road, Rome, GA, died Monday morning, August 25, 2003, in a local hospital.

Mr. Layton was born in Lancaster, KY, on September 26, 1936, the son of Virgie Mae Montgomery Layton and the late Hobart Morgan Layton. He attended Eastern Kentucky University and had been a resident of Rome and Floyd County for over 40 years. Mr. Layton was a veteran of the United States Army. He was associated with the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center for the past 41 years, serving as Executive Director for the past 14 of those years. Mr. Layton was well known in the Rome community for his talent in architectural design. He served on 24 local, regional and state boards. Mr. Layton was an avid sports fan, particularly a fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team. He was a loving husband, and dedicated father and grandfather.

Mr. Layton is survived by his wife, Mary Doris Owen Layton, to whom he was married on August 24, 1962; one daughter, Merrian Layton Hiett of Macon, GA; two sons, William Corey Layton of Atlanta, GA, and James Christopher Layton of Rome; two granddaughters, Katherine Marie Layton and Lauren Michell Layton; mother, Virgie Mae Layton of Danville, KY; three brothers, J.D. Layton and Mack Layton, both of Danville, and Russell Layton of Somerset KY.

Funeral services for Mr. Layton will be held on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. in the North Broad Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Adams and Mr. J. Parnick Jennings, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Floyd Memory Gardens.

Mr. Layton will lie in-state at the Heritage Chapel of the Jennings Funeral Home where the family will receive friends this (Wednesday) evening from 6 until 9 p.m. At other hours they may be contacted at the residence.

Pallbearers are asked to meet at the church on Thursday by 10:30 a.m. and include Steve Owen, Lloyd Fraiser, Wilson Green, Roy Echols, David Howerin, Jim Stockton, Louie Canova and Kevin Martin.

Please join Mr. Layton’s family in honoring his life by visiting www.mem.com to share memories.

The Heritage Chapel of the Jennings Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements for the funeral of Mr. James Hyatt “Jim” Layton.