James Kirksey

James Macon Kirksey (Jimmy), age 82 of Birmingham and Lincoln passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Jimmy was born on January 22, 1943. He was preceded in death by his parents, James I. Kirksey and Lora M. Kirksey. He attended the Lincoln School system and was a member of the Golden Class. The 1961 class was the fiftieth graduation year of Lincoln High School and was designated the Golden Class. After graduation and for a short period he attended college in Arizona, then attended Jacksonville State University.

After graduating from JSU in 1971 with a degree in biology, he went on to a career in medical technology and eventually found himself in pharmaceutical manufacturing with Alabama Cosmeceutical Labs, LLC. “My parents put me in the right direction and gave me a great philosophy,” Kirksey said. “They advised me to get the best education and to apply it for everyone’s benefit.” Which he did by honoring his parents with a planned scholarship to JSU, the James Macon Kirksey Endowed Scholarship. Jimmy said, “I am thankful that Jacksonville State University gave me the necessary tools to be able to give back. It is a great feeling to provide an education and change the life and future for students I don’t even know.”

Kirksey remained active with JSU throughout the years through, his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, for which he was a charter founding member. Because of this involvement, he understood that the cost of an education at JSU is greater now then when he attended. “Rising cost could very well cause the loss of important brain power and talents being available to the world a better place.”

Kirksey worked with University Development to establish the James Macon Kirksey Endowed Scholarship, which will benefit students in perpetuity. The scholarship was designed to be awarded to a junior or senior majoring the sciences with a 2.25 or better GPA. “A down-to-earth, practical, creative person who has the personality to push through new ideas and stay on the creative edge of his/her chosen science it the ideal candidate,” Kirksey said. First consideration will be given to members of Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity that has meant so much him over the years.

Jimmy was a charter member of the Jax State Heritage Society and Life Time Membership in the Jax State Alumni Association. He earned a JD at the Birmingham School of Law.

Jimmy found employment at a number of hospitals, retiring from UAB.

A visitation will be held at Kilgroe Funeral Home (Pell City) on July 9, beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a graveside service to follow at 11:00a.m. at Lincoln Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please made a donation to the Scholarship Fund he established at Jacksonville State, the James Macon Kirksey Endowed Scholarship in memory of his parents.