Jeptha Columbus Tatum III (December 18, 1944 – January 20, 2021) has passed at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas due to complications with lymphoma. “Jep” was a native Savannah of Georgia, and son of Jeptha Columbus Tatum Jr. and Teresa Bolton Tatum.
He attended Benedictine Military School in Savannah and served honorably In the U.S. Air Force as active duty from 1964-1968 during the Vietnam War. He was not born in Texas but got there as soon as he could; acquiring a love for the history and the people of his adopted home State. Jep graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio and passed the Texas State Bar on September 24, 1973 which he retained until his death.
He quickly found success as a tenacious and disciplined lawyer imbued with all the manners of a Texas Gentleman; But the accomplishments he was most proud of and that brought him the most joy was being a devoted husband of 45 years to his wife Linda Raye Tatum and father to his two sons Travis Clinton Tatum and William Richland Tatum.
Jep’s oldest son, Travis would inherit his father’s love of aviation and go on to earn his commercial pilot’s license. His younger son Bill would inherit Jep’s love of the tidal water and become an accomplished long-distance kayaker and riverman.
He is survived by his wife, sons, daughter-in-law Rachel Dunham Tatum and grandchildren; Lillie Madelyn Tatum and Jackson Travis Tatum. As well as his siblings, Terry Wilkins, John Tatum, Robert Tatum, Karen Ternes, Jim Tatum and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, February 3, 2021 10:00am at Memorial Funeral Chapel 2901 Texas Avenue South College Station, Texas 77845. Burial will be held at 2:15pm Houston National Cemetery 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr Houston, Texas 77038
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