Jim Jeffries

James Robert Jeffries, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, December 02, 2025. He was born in Akron, Ohio on July 23, 1941, to Callie Mae Porter Jeffries and Theodore James Jeffries. He attended grammar school in Greenwood, Ms. and went on to graduate from Gulfport High School in 1959. Jim served in the Navy from 1959 to 1965 as Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) in communications. His military service includes a year aboard the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier and later transferred to land duty in Bahrain in the Persian Gulf.

His father was originally from Ohio and met his mother in Gulfport, MS. At the age of three, Jim lost his father to typhoid fever. He and his mother continued to live in Mississippi, but Jim spent most summers with his father’s relatives in Newark, Ohio where the family owned a successful candy supply store known as Jeffries Supply Company. Jim attended Hinds Junior College in Mississippi and earned his AA degree as well as the class History Award.

Jim received flight instruction as a teen, performing his first solo flight at the age of 17. Additionally, he was a certified ham radio operator as a teenager creating a foundation for his Naval career as a “Radioman” in Communications at a time when the military heavily relied on Morse Code for crucial, secure, reliable battlefield “comms”.

In the1960s and 70s, he became a professional photographer and an acclaimed news reporter for local Jackson, MS television stations WLBT & WAPT as well as New Orleans news. In August of 1969, his reporting coverage of Hurricane Camille made national news. Along with other television journalists, Bert Case and Bob Bullock, he helped provide vital information during and after the storm which became a benchmark for news reporting of such events. This experience ultimately led to a position as anchorman with Bert Case doing nightly news for WAPT-TV in Jackson.

Jim helped create, write and produce the special television series for WLBT called Shades of Mississippi. He traveled throughout the state to interview people featuring their special talents in cooking, farming, art, building projects and various hobbies. In the 1970s, Jim opened his own production company, Jim Jeffries Productions, Inc, creating documentary productions about events such as Reno Air Races in Nevada, the Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Mexico, the Jimmy Rogers Festival in Meridian, MS, and the Merle Haggard Special, to name a few. Pennzoil Oil Company later hired him as their in-house documentary producer which moved him to Los Angeles, CA with his family. In the 1980s, Jim wrote and produced feature film about crop dusting called “Boomer” and then later found himself back in Mississippi working with WOKK radio news out of Meridian in both field and live broadcasting.

Jim maintained a passion for aviation throughout his life. He owned and piloted various airplanes including the classic WWII advanced T-6 trainer aircraft which he restored and flew for recreation and work. As a pilot, he took great pride in smooth flying and valued the privilege, accruing thousands of recorded flying hours.

In his 40s, Jim established a prominent presence in the field of aviation. His work in Corrosion Block later evolved into the niche specialty of dynamic balance and analysis of propeller aircraft. His reputation preceded him across the continent as “The Prop Doc” among general aviation aircraft, agricultural “crop dusters”, WWII warplanes, air racers, Canadian seaplanes. Notable aircraft work includes the B-29 Bomber “Fifi”, P-38 Glacier Girl, radial engine aircraft such as the De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, Grumman Mallard, Stearman, Yak and P-51 Mustang Gunfighter, Mormon Mustang, Charlotte’s Chariot, Corsair, Spitfire, Japanese Zero, and Grumman Bearcat.

He had an IA (Inspection Authorization) Certification and was an FAA certified A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) mechanic who earned the status to perform annual inspections, approve repairs/alterations, and determine an aircraft’s airworthiness, ensuring it safe to fly. He acted as delegate for the Federal Aviation Administration through his company Jeffries Airworks. His customer clientele was in the thousands. He would travel several months of each year in his motorhome, covering all states in the contiguous U.S. and Canada, to meet the needs of his customers. His knowledge of airplane performance and mechanics was second to none after almost 70 years of experience piloting and working in aviation.

Jim never met a stranger. He had a strong sense of faith, always helped people when he could, was dedicated and loyal to his customers, loved his family and friends, was funny, kind, much smarter than he would ever let on, and a great storyteller.

Some comments from family and friends upon hearing of his recent passing:

“Jim was a gentle bear of a man—strong and steady, yet incredibly kind. He had a way of making everyone around him feel valued and cared for. His warmth, his humor, and his generous spirit touched so many lives, including mine in ways I'll always treasure. The world feels a little emptier without him, but I'm grateful for every moment, every conversation, and every memory. Rest easy, Jim. You were truly an amazing person.”

“What a Great Friend and Ambassador to our Industry! Blue Skies and Tail winds my friend! Look to see you on the other side!”

“He Balanced a lot of Turbine Propellers for us in the 90’s!! Great Guy!”

“Great guy. One of a kind for sure. I was glad to call him my friend.”

“The Absolute Best Prop Balancer in the business! Mr. Jim was top notch you wanted him taking care of your aircraft: He was always so full of life with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He was my saving grace and our family through our ag flying years. Go Fly High my friend. You are so loved and honored.”

He is survived by children Susan (Jeff), Ted (Cherry), Lance and Julie (Eric), grandchildren Rowan, Gavin, Palmer, Alex, Teddi, Pearce, Jake, and Presley and great granddaughter, Dove and many extended family and friends who loved him.

A memorial service will be held January 24, 2026, at Hawkins Field Airport in Jackson at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jim Jeffries’ name to a scholarship fund for Baker School of Aeronautics at: https://gofund.me/32ab44085