Roll Call Tribute

Published in the Montgomery (AL) Advertiser from May 26 to May 27, 2013

James Striplin
Memorial service for James "Jim" Blake Striplin, Jr., 86, of Prattville, Alabama, will be Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Prattville First United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors in the church fellowship hall after the memorial service. Mr. Striplin passed away May 25th at Prattville Health and Rehabilitation Center from complications associated with Parkinson's disease.

He retired in 2001 from the Bank of Prattville after more than 50 years, including service as president and chairman of the board. Treating everyone with respect, he took a personal interest in both his employees and customers. He expressed genuine interest in helping each individual. Mr. Striplin was president of the Alabama Bankers Association in 1984, and was inducted into the Half Century Club in 1998. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Prattville and the New Era Sunday School Class. For many years he served on various church committees and as chairman of the Administrative Board.

In addition to his banking and church work, Mr. Striplin devoted countless hours to improving the City of Prattville. Civic memberships included Kiwanis Club (past president), Water Works Board (for over 50 years), Industrial Development Board (its first chairman), Alabama Department of Archives and History, and YMCA (chairman, board member and trustee). In 1976, The Prattville YMCA chose him as Man of the Year. For his outstanding service as a civic leader, Tukabatchee Area Boy Scouts of America honored him with their Silver Beaver award. He was also a founding director and the first president of Prattville Country Club.

Mr. Striplin served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II, having been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, and during the Korean Conflict. He was an officer in the Alabama National Guard for 13 years.

Born in Houston, Texas, on July 27, 1926, Mr. Striplin spent his childhood in Ballinger, Texas, where he played football for Ballinger High School. He began studies at Texas A&M at age 17 (Class of 1947), left for two years of war service, then returned to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.

When Mr. Striplin's father died in 1945, his mother moved to Alabama to be near relatives. In 1947 she married Carleton G. Smith of Prattville. While visiting his mother, Jim met Evelyn Smith; they married on August 27, 1949. Mr. Striplin is survived by one son, Albert (Theresa) Striplin of Prattville, Alabama; three daughters, Lyn (John) Cook of Decatur, Alabama, Mary (Harry) Hodge of Richardson, Texas, Ann (Norman) Anderson of Jacksonville, Florida; five grandchildren, Blake Striplin of Prattville and Tuscaloosa,
Alabama, Brian (Leslie) Cook of Decatur, Alabama, Mary Grace Hodge of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jakob Anderson of Knoxville, Tennessee, Eric Anderson of Auburn, Alabama; one brother-in-law, Malcolm "Major" (Jane) Smith of Prattville, Alabama; two nephews, Robert H. Smith of Wetumpka, Alabama, Charles (Lani)Taylor of Huntsville, Alabama; one niece, Cathy Taylor (Chris) Cahill of Arlington, Virginia; one cousin, Mary Lumpkin (Tolbert) Epps of Birmingham, Alabama.

Mr. Striplin was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn Dunkin Smith Striplin; his sister-in-law, Ann Smith Taylor; his parents, James Blake Striplin and Mary Juanita Nelson Striplin Smith; and his step-father, Carleton Gibson Smith. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Building Fund of First United Methodist Church, 100 East 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067, or Prattville YMCA, 600 E. Main Street, Prattville, AL 36067. Prattville Memorial Chapel directing.

To send an online condolence please visit www.prattvillememorial.com