Mike James

Michael McCahill James, April 28, 1944-October 16, 2021

Mike, known to many as “Eagle”, age 77, died at his home October 16, 2021. Visitation will be Thursday, October 21, 2021 from noon - 1 pm at Annunciation Catholic Church in Columbus, MS, where he was a lifelong communicant.
A memorial service will follow visitation at 1 pm with Father Jeffrey Waldrep officiating. Internment will be at Friendship Cemetery by Memorial Gunter and Peel Funeral Home 903 College Street. Mr. James was predeceased by his parents, William Davis James and Hanora McCahill James. He was a 1962 graduate of S. D. Lee High School, where he was an All-State basketball player. He went on to play Freshman basketball at Mississippi State University under legendary coach Babe McCarthy. He earned a degree in Physical Education and later an Accounting degree also from Mississippi State.
He retired from United Technologies as manager of General Accounting.  After retiring, he owned CFC Compressors and The Elbow Room. He served on the Building Committee for the new sanctuary of Annunciation Catholic Church.  He was a Board member of the Columbus Lowndes Public Library. He spent many years as a baseball coach to young boys where his teams won many championships. He helped coach the 1987 All-Star team that went on to win the State Championship. He enjoyed golf, tennis, and running. He was an avid supporter of Mississippi State Athletics. He bled maroon. In addition to his parents, Mr. James is also preceded in death by his brother, Billy James; his nephew, Tim James; his great niece, Catherine Richards; and his beloved Yellow Labrador Retriever, Sally. Mr. James is survived by his son, Brian James (Summer) of Memphis, TN, his granddaughter, Maris James; sister, Lenore James Richards, of Columbus, MS; nephews, Marty James of Biloxi, MS; Patrick James (Carol) of Huntsville, AL; Guy Richards III (Elizabeth) of Peachtree City, GA; Lee Richards (Linda) of Columbus, MS; niece Stephanie Richards Dillard (Greg) of Columbus, MS, and a host of great nephews and great nieces. Honorary pallbearers will be Matt Alexander, Al Comer, Mike Depta, Bob Ferguson, Leroy Nickels, Wayne Richards and Marvin Thweatt.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101. Lastly, the family would like to extend special thanks to nurse, Cassie Neal, for her tremendous help and devotion.