James Robert "Jim" Blue

Retired Lt. Col. James R. (Jim) Blue, 77, peacefully passed away the morning of Sunday, October 15th in the Atlanta, Georgia retirement community apartment that he shared with his wife of 59 years, Maxine Jenkins Blue. Jim suffered with Parkinson’s disease since 2009.  Jim was predeceased by his father Jewett Blue, Mother Era Lancaster Blue, and step-mother Sadie Blue, a step brother Nelson Ramsey.  Jim is survived by his wife; son Jim Blue, Jr. and his wife Jane, Murphy, NC, daughter Valarie Easterling and her husband Jim, Atlanta, GA, a brother, George Blue, Laurel, MS, grandchildren Mary Grace Easterling and David Easterling, James Michael Blue and his wife Kelly, Chris Blue and his wife Leah and Jon Blue; and great-grandchildren Larkin, Mackenzie, Victoria Blue.

Jim was born and raised in Vardaman, Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State University in the Army ROTC program. He entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1961. He and Maxine raised their family while traveling the world during Jim’s decorated 21-year career in the service. Jim served as an advisor in the Vietnam war in 1969. He retired in 1982 as a Lt. Col.

Jim lived out his Christian faith and values by serving others. He and Maxine moved back to their hometown of Vardaman and spent 30 years in service to that community and to the state of Mississippi. Jim served as a Mississippi State Representative, worked with the Calhoun County Gideon’s, Cattleman’s Association, American Legion, Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival, First Baptist Church as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher, served as a translator with the Spanish-speaking community and as a volunteer serving meals to the Hispanic Church. He was a substitute teacher for the Calhoun County school system and served on several boards. All of these meaningful years of service occurred while operating a successful cattle business and Blue Machine Works, a small manufacturing company.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the local Gideon chapter payable to Gideon’s International in care of the Calhoun Camp, P.O. Box 167 Calhoun City, MS 38916

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Vardaman on Friday October 20th.  Funeral services will be on Saturday October 21st at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Vardaman. Internment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.