Roll Call Tribute
James "Jim" Mathis '45 July 5, 2011 12:56 PM
Published in the Hattiesburg (MS) American on July 2, 2011
James Virgil "Jim" Mathis
Hattiesburg, MS
A longtime resident of Hattiesburg, MS, Jim passed away July 1st at Forrest General Hospital after a brief illness at the age of 87.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 2nd from 10:00 to 11:30 at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home with services to follow at 11:30. Internment will be at Roseland Park with military honors.
Mr. Mathis was born in Gilmer, TX and spent most of his young life there before joining the U.S. Navy in World War II. By serving in defense of our freedom during wartime, he became one of the representatives of our "Greatest Generation" as a radio man on the Sumner Class Destroyer - USS Tolman seeing action in the South Pacific.
After the war, he returned to College Station to pursue his education at Texas A&M University. He graduated in 1945 with a degree in Business and held close ties to the university for the remainder of his life. He was a member of the A&M Century Club and a Double Diamond member of the university's Association of Former Students.
After his collegiate days, he joined Humble Oil, later known as Exxon/Mobile. In his professional career spanning 37 years with Exxon, he served in the Eastern Division supervising the securing of mineral rights for the company. At his retirement in 1986, he was a Land Advisor for Exxon utilizing his extensive skills as a Certified Professional Landman and was affiliated with the American Association of Petroleum Landmen.
The love of his life was his late wife of over 50 years, Ora Jo Little Mathis also of Gilmer, TX. They were the proud parents of four children.
He enjoyed playing golf and prided himself in "shooting his age". He enjoyed University of Southern Mississippi athletics and was a member of the Eagle Club. He also enjoyed supporting his grandsons as they participated in sports as they grew up.
Jim was an active member of Kensington Woods Church of Christ for over 40 years.
His survivors include: Two sons: James Virgil Mathis, Jr. (Brenda) and Dr. Tim Mathis (Maggie) both of Shreveport, LA and his two daughters: Mindy Mathis Deen (Bobby) of Hattiesburg, MS, and Melody Mathis Ivy (David), of Baton Rouge, LA.; one brother-in-law Roy Little ( Evelyn) of New Orleans, LA, and 5 grandchildren: Stephen Magown (Jenny) of Madison, MS, Nick Ivy of Jackson, MS, Stewart & Drew Deen of Hattiesburg, MS, and 3 great grandchildren.
Those desiring to make contributions in lieu of flowers are welcome to contribute to the Kensington Woods Church of Christ, 415 S. 40th Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 or Presbyterian Christian School - Legacy Campaign, 221 Bonhomie Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 or the Southern Miss Eagle Club Scholarship Fund, Box 15458, Hattiesburg, MS 39404
James Virgil "Jim" Mathis
Hattiesburg, MS
A longtime resident of Hattiesburg, MS, Jim passed away July 1st at Forrest General Hospital after a brief illness at the age of 87.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 2nd from 10:00 to 11:30 at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home with services to follow at 11:30. Internment will be at Roseland Park with military honors.
Mr. Mathis was born in Gilmer, TX and spent most of his young life there before joining the U.S. Navy in World War II. By serving in defense of our freedom during wartime, he became one of the representatives of our "Greatest Generation" as a radio man on the Sumner Class Destroyer - USS Tolman seeing action in the South Pacific.
After the war, he returned to College Station to pursue his education at Texas A&M University. He graduated in 1945 with a degree in Business and held close ties to the university for the remainder of his life. He was a member of the A&M Century Club and a Double Diamond member of the university's Association of Former Students.
After his collegiate days, he joined Humble Oil, later known as Exxon/Mobile. In his professional career spanning 37 years with Exxon, he served in the Eastern Division supervising the securing of mineral rights for the company. At his retirement in 1986, he was a Land Advisor for Exxon utilizing his extensive skills as a Certified Professional Landman and was affiliated with the American Association of Petroleum Landmen.
The love of his life was his late wife of over 50 years, Ora Jo Little Mathis also of Gilmer, TX. They were the proud parents of four children.
He enjoyed playing golf and prided himself in "shooting his age". He enjoyed University of Southern Mississippi athletics and was a member of the Eagle Club. He also enjoyed supporting his grandsons as they participated in sports as they grew up.
Jim was an active member of Kensington Woods Church of Christ for over 40 years.
His survivors include: Two sons: James Virgil Mathis, Jr. (Brenda) and Dr. Tim Mathis (Maggie) both of Shreveport, LA and his two daughters: Mindy Mathis Deen (Bobby) of Hattiesburg, MS, and Melody Mathis Ivy (David), of Baton Rouge, LA.; one brother-in-law Roy Little ( Evelyn) of New Orleans, LA, and 5 grandchildren: Stephen Magown (Jenny) of Madison, MS, Nick Ivy of Jackson, MS, Stewart & Drew Deen of Hattiesburg, MS, and 3 great grandchildren.
Those desiring to make contributions in lieu of flowers are welcome to contribute to the Kensington Woods Church of Christ, 415 S. 40th Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 or Presbyterian Christian School - Legacy Campaign, 221 Bonhomie Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 or the Southern Miss Eagle Club Scholarship Fund, Box 15458, Hattiesburg, MS 39404
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