James 'Jim' Rochester Jr.

Amory – James “Jim” Rochester, 80, died on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at NMMC, Tupelo. Born on May 8, 1934, in Asheville, NC, he was a son of the late James Arthur Rochester, Sr., and Mae Williams Rochester.

Jim graduated from Fletcher High School, Jax Beach, FL, where he played basketball. He received a scholarship to play basketball at Jacksonville University and later turned down an opportunity to play with the Harlem Globetrotters. On August 10, 1955, he married Shirley Brewer. Having worked at Florida National Bank and as a glazier at Lee and Cates Glass Company, Jim opened and operated Jax’s Beach Glass Company in Jax Beach. Moving to Amory in December 1977, he operated Jim’s Glass until retiring. Jim was a charter member, Deacon, VBS volunteer and RA leader at Ocean Park Baptist Church, Jax Beach. A member of Meadowood Baptist Church, he served as a Deacon, taught the 5th and 6th graders Sunday school with his wife, and was active with Faith Works. An awesome, wonderful and generous husband, father and grandfather, he loved his family and was known for being a goofball and making others laugh. An avid golfer who loved being outdoors, Jim enjoyed Florida Gators’ sports, working in the yard, woodworking, working with his hands, doing drawings and sketching, and Country music.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Rochester, Amory; daughters, Beverly Goheen (Fred), Berthoud, CO, Connie Smith (Pete), Punta Gorda, FL, and Donna Houston (Pat), Saltillo; son, Chris Rochester, Jacksonville, FL; sister, Carol Brymer (Richard), Jax Beach, FL; sisters-in-law, Nita Robinson (Norris), Amory, Martha Owens (Lamar), Jacksonville, FL; brother-in-law, Danny Brewer (Bette) Jacksonville, FL, and Aberdeen; grandchildren, Michelle Potter (Eric), Matthew Goheen, Brandon and Ryan Fowlkes; great-grandchildren, Austin, Alyssa, Drae and Brylynne; several nieces and nephews; numerous special friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Robert McMinn.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM, Friday, December 5 at Meadowood Baptist Church with Dr. Lloyd Sweatt officiating. Burial will be in Haughton Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Scott Wagner; Jeff Chambers; David and Howard McMinn; Guy Flores; Brad Robinson. Honorary pallbearers will be the Howard Brannon Sunday school class.

Visitation will be from 6 – 8 PM, Thursday at the church.

Memorials may be given Feed the Children, PO Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101.

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.