James Francis O'Beirne

""Christ within me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in the hearts of all who love me, Christ in the mouth of every friend and stranger. " -Lorica of St. Patrick. James Francis O'Beirne was born January 26, 1936 to Irish immigrants Michael Patrick and Marcella Healion O'Beirne in White Plains, New York. He passed away December 26, 2016 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. As one of ten children, James was raised in Natchez, MS where he attended Cathedral High School and graduated from St. Ben's Seminary in St. Benedict, LA. He served in the U.S. Army in Hawaii and went on to receive his B.S. from Mississippi Southern where he met the love of his life, Sybil "Jean" Atchley. After marrying Jean, he received his MBA from Louisiana State University. James went on to work at Colonial Sugar and then Dow Chemical Company where he retired as Manager of the Purchasing Department. After retiring, James earned his Certified Financial Planner designation and became the Chief Compliance Officer for Commonwealth Advisors, Inc. James led a life of quiet simplicity with the utmost moral and uncompromising character. He will be remembered as a gentle and kind man with a darling sense of humor. He considered his faith and family his greatest legacies. We will always cherish the memories and carry on his traditions of building "Cooky Houses" after Thanksgiving, celebrating his beloved Ireland at the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and gathering to cheer on the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints. James is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Alice O'Beirne, and nephew, Barry Williams. James is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean O'Beirne, his three daughters and sons-in-law, Jenny and Walter Morales, Jackie and John Pastorek, and Janelle and Gary Johnson. He was blessed with the best gifts ever given to him: his seven grandchildren, Ryan James Morales, Sarah Morales (Chris) Vitenas, Michael Stewart Morales, Matthew Joseph Morales, Emma O'Beirne Johnson, Olivia Rose Johnson, and Benjamin Lewis Johnson, and one great grandchild, Beau Andrew Collins, whom he each considered the twinkle and sparkle in his bright blue eyes. He is also survived by his siblings, Mary Williams, Natchez, MS, Danny (Virginia) O'Beirne, Natchez, MS, Eileen Clayton, Madison, MS, Margaret Williams, Jackson, MS, Tommy (Pokey) O'Beirne, Natchez, MS, Michael (Ingeborg) O'Beirne, Tuebingen, Germany, Patsy Rogers, Madison, MS, and Noreen Bozeman, Madison, MS, and his brothers-in-law, Edward (Kimberly) Atchley, Dallas, TX and Johnny Atchley, Biloxi, MS as well as over thirty nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, December 30th, 9:00-10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., followed by Mass celebrated by Rev. Joshua Johnson at 10:30 a.m. and Christian burial at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Special thanks from James' family to Dr. Gerald Calegan and the Neurology Unit at OLOL, and his caregivers, Marilyn Daigle, Carrie McBride and Melissa Wascom. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following organizations that were close to James' heart: Friends of Batahola (P.O.Box 36159, Cincinnati, OH 45236), National Parkinson Foundation (200 SE 1st Street Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131), or St. Vincent de Paul (P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA 70821).