James Thomas Messick

He was born in Pike County on January 10, 1933, the eldest of seven children to the late Joe Tom and Ella Mae Kelley Messick. Thomas, as he was known to family, graduated from Macon County High School in 1951 after the family relocated to Notasulga. He went on to join the United States Air Force and served 10 years in the Electronics Maintenance Squadron, receiving the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

After his service in the Air Force, he went to work in Civil Service as an Electrical Technician for the Federal Aviation Administration, first at Dannelly Field then at Maxwell/Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery. He retired in 1988 after 37 years of service.

He enjoyed many hobbies in his lifetime but the two that made him the happiest were fishing and square dancing. He was passionately involved in the local MASDA group, serving in several leadership positions with the square dance club Beaux & Belles. Even up until his last years he could be found on Monday and Tuesday evenings with his dancing shoes on ready to “Do Si Do” or just enjoying sitting and visiting with the many life-long friends he made through the Square Dance community.

James, as he was known to friends and church family, was a Methodist by faith. He was a member of Snowdoun United Methodist Church and then when he moved into town he joined Dalraida Methodist Church. He was always active on various boards and committees, as well as a Sunday School teacher. He also attended a multi-denominational men’s Bible Study every Friday morning for many years.

He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Frances Juanita Cox Messick and his second wife Dorothy Plott Messick, as well as his son Pat Messick; three sisters Eloise (Calvin) Pryor, Loette (Maurice-dec) Lee, and Josie (Earl-dec) Terry; one brother John William (JW) (Genye) Messick.

He is survived by two daughters Sheri Todd (John) of Auburn, Alabama and Angie Newman (Roy) of Skipperville, Alabama; two grandchildren Adrienne Craig (Corey) of Jackson Gap, Alabama and Payne Newman (Autumn) of Auburn, Alabama; two great-granddaughters Peyton and Piper Craig; two sisters Sue McLendon (Gus) Montgomery Alabama; Faye (Alton- dec) McFarland Norcross, Georgia. Also surviving numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Thursday August 28, 2025 at 2pm at Leak Memory Chapel, 945 Lincoln Road Montgomery, Alabama. The family will greet friends for one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers donation may be made to Fountain of Love at methodisthomes.org or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

His daughters would like to thank the staff at Wesley Gardens for all the love and care they provided him these last four years, as well as all those servant hearts who picked him up for dancing, Bible study and Breakfast at Chappy’s Deli.

He was a man who lived out the Bible verse John 10:10 “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”