Homer Best Jr.

Homer Best, Jr., a man who got the most out of life, died peacefully and with his children in the early morning of September 26, 2016, from respiratory failure at St. Dominic’s Hospital. He was 90 years old.

Homer was born to Homer Best, Sr. and Carolyn Doty Best in Memphis, Tennessee on July 31, 1926, but was a resident of Jackson almost all of his life, attending Jackson Public Schools and graduating from Central High School in 1944. In June 1944 he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and after attending B-29 gunnery school in Ft. Myers, Florida, he was called to active duty as a Central Fire Control Gunner on a B-29. He was eventually stationed with the Ninth Air Force in the European Theatre of Operations for nine months, and was honorably discharged from the service in the summer of 1946. In the fall of 1946, Homer entered Ole Miss Business School and became a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. In 1947, while at Ole Miss, he married his lifetime love, Jane Elizabeth Ross, whom he referred to as his Blue Angel, truly an angel on earth.

Homer graduated from Ole Miss in 1949 and joined Mississippi Stationary Company, where he later became Vice President and part owner. Soon thereafter he established Best-Allen Office Supply with his good friend and partner, Ernest Allen. He entered the oil business in 1954 and was very active in oil and gas exploration in Mississippi, Alabama and South Louisiana. At one time, he had interest in over 100 producing wells. Homer was very proud of his many years of association with the Chisolm family of Laurel, Mississippi, as an Oil & Gas Consultant and Investment Adviser. He was appointed by President Nixon to the National Petroleum Council, served on the Executive Committee of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, Board of Directors of IPAA, Board of Directors of Jackson Petroleum Club and Board of Directors of Country Club of Jackson. He later was one of the founders of Annandale Golf Club, and was proud that he contributed to the naming of the club. He was an avid golfer and parred several courses throughout the country. He was very proud to have made three holes in one and to have shot his age after retirement and under his age several times when he was 75.

Homer loved baseball and with his father coached Dixie Boys baseball team in 1964 to a city championship. He coached both his sons, Jimmy and Camp, at various levels of youth baseball.

Mr. Best was an avid hunter and hunted with the Hannon family for many years in Madison County, where he was fortunate enough to harvest several bucks. He was also able to hunt later in life with his dear friend, Bob Lloyd.

Homer and wife, Jane, were founding members of Northminster Baptist Church where he was a deacon and member for many years of the Men’s Sunday School Class. Chuck Poole, the pastor, was admired and loved by Homer for many years and was a close friend and counselor.

Homer fulfilled his civic responsibilities by serving on the Board of Directors of the Jackson Symphony, as co-chair of the Easter Seals, as chairman of the March of Dimes Jackson Campaign and as Vice-President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Homer was a member of the Chancellor’s Trust at Ole Miss, a lifetime member of the Alumni Association and a long-time supporter of the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation.

Homer was predeceased by his parents, by his sister, Carolyn Jean Best Schirmer, and by his wife, Jane Elizabeth Ross Best. He is survived by his 4 children: James Homer Best, Camp Best, Julie Best Clark and DeDe Best Miley; 5 grandchildren: Nathan Best (Kimberly), Adam Clark (Maggie), Suzanna Best, Doty Miley and Wilson Miley, and 4 great grandchildren: Campbell Best, Yates Best, Dotson Clark and Savannah Best.

The family would like to thank special caregivers Donna Gates, Milford Currie, LaQuanda Nichols, and Matasha Ford for their service to Homer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Northminster Baptist Church and to The University of Mississippi.