James (Jimmy) Earl Windham, Sr. of 1800 Beach Drive, Gulfport, MS passed away on September 1, 2020 just two weeks shy of his 102nd birthday. Born September 16, 1918 in Memphis, TN, Jimmy was a resident of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, MS at the time of his death after spending most of his life in Birmingham, AL. A survivor of the Great Depression, he joined the Army at the age of seventeen. He served his country in the Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he joined the newly created United States Air Force and served as a jet mechanic and later as a unit First Sergeant. After 26 years of military service he retired from the Air Force in 1960. Following his military career he moved to Cahaba Heights, AL and worked for Jack Cole Trucking and other transportation companies in the Birmingham area until his second retirement. Jimmy was preceded in death by his much beloved wife of 62 years, Julia Windham, and daughter, Jan Scoggins. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Sue Windham of Daphne, AL; a son-in-law, Gene Scoggins of Birmingham, AL; three grandchildren, Steven (Kathleen) Windham of Shalimar, FL; Eric (Jamie) Windham of Fairhope, AL; Tina (Matt) Scrudato of Arroyo Grande, CA; and two great-grandchildren Ty and Ethan Scrudato. Jimmy will long be remembered for his sense of humor, hard work ethic, integrity, devotion to his extended family, and strong Christian faith. Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on September 16, 2020 at John-Ridout’s Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Ave SW, Birmingham, AL. In lieu of flowers please send any donations to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.
