James Milton (Jim) Talley, 84, of Tampa FL passed away peacefully in his home, January 12, 2021. Born in Union City, TN on June 19, 1936. Son of the late Eugene Watters Talley and Emelyn Schliefer Talley. Survived by loving wife of 63 years, Carolyn Crenshaw Talley; daughter, Carmen Crenshaw Talley McGraw (Jim); son, James Milton Talley Jr (Laura); daughter, Carol Talley Murphy (Brian); 7 grandchildren and 2 spouses; 1 great granddaughter; brother, Eugene Lockhart Talley (Alice). Jim graduated from Union City High School and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a degree in Journalism. During his junior year in college, he married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn. Jim served as one of the editors of the UT school newspaper his senior year. After graduation, he worked as a journalist for the Nashville Tennessean and the Dyersburg State Gazette. At a very young age, he always had a passion for writing and knew he wanted to own his own newspaper business someday. At the age of 27, he moved his family to Brooksville to take over the weekly newspaper, The Sun Journal. He became an active member of the Florida Press Association for many years and eventually served as President. As editor and publisher, the paper received many awards for the editorial writing. His love for journalism allowed multiple responsibilities in New Jersey, Daytona Beach, Tampa and Tallahassee. During this time, Jim published a book called Jesus: The Bread of Life. In Tampa, he ultimately became the editorial editor for the Tampa Times leading to regional editor for the Tampa Tribune. While at the Times, he was a strong advocate for the establishment and development of the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. During that time, many regard Jim’s writings in his columns as representing a vital part of the creation of the Moffitt Cancer Center. In 1984, Jim’s passion for lobbying started at St Petersburg Junior College. This led him to start his own lobbying and newsletter publisher business in Tallahassee representing businesses and Community Colleges in the state of Florida until retirement. Jim loved his church, friends, their cabin at Wolf Laurel in NC and most of all his family. His strong faith and commitment to his family proved to be consistent throughout his life leaving this legacy to his children and grandchildren. Jim led in his faith by example and taught the senior Sunday School class and became one of the leaders for the Methodist men retreats for many years. Three years ago, Jim and his wife moved back to Tampa to be closer to his family. They became members of South Tampa Fellowship Church and have enjoyed becoming active in their senior saints Sunday School class. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service with family and friends will be held at 11am on Thurs., Jan. 28th at South Tampa Fellowship Church, Ballast Point Campus. Kindly follow social distance and mask guidelines. For those unable to attend, a livestream service will be available at www.stfchurch.com at 11am EST. In lieu of flowers, donations to South Tampa Fellowship are encouraged.
