Jim was born on the 7th of August 1930 to Jim Loys Latham and Hazel Rogers Latham. He was
the 4th of their 5 children. At age 20, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served
in the Korean War with the Eighth Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC), from 1950 to 1952.
The Fifth Air Force Korean War Combat Service from 1952 to 1954. After graduating from the
University of Texas in 1960, Jim entered Naval Flight Officer Service in Pensacola, Florida. He
served as a Naval Flight Tactical Commander, on Long range Anti-Submarine warfare aircraft
during the Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, United States Gemini and Apollo Space
programs, as well as the Cold War. His operations covered the entire Atlantic bases from
Ireland to Barbados. The Caribbean Sea from Puerto Rico to the Panama Canal, including
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. His Anti-air operations continued across the entire Mediterranean Sea
from Spain to Athens, Greece. Istanbul, Turkey, to North Africa, Suez Canal to Morocco. Jim
retired from Naval Air Service on September 30, 1976 as a Lieutenant Commander Field Grade
Tactical Commander. He received many awards and recognition for his service and
accomplishments.
Jim was an earnest, sincere, disciplined and passionate student of the Bible, American and
World History, Geography, Civics and Government.
Jim served his Lord and Savior in many ways through various ministries in the Church, mission
trips, and in the community. He had a compassionate loving heart that was exemplified by how
deeply he loved those he served and served with. Jim was always willing to lend a helping hand
on various projects and didn’t hesitate to encourage those around, whether it be a widow or
young teen.
Jim’s greatest love, besides the love he had for Christ, was his enduring love for his beloved
wife of 60 years, Barbara Ann, his precious daughters Letitia and Cynthia, his sons in law that
he treated as sons Travis and Mark, his 6 grandchildren, and 5 great- grandchildren.
Jim lived his life fully and with great passion, he never “retired” from his service to the Lord’s
work, and in the last 18 months of his life he became very involved in the Hispanic ministry at
Great Oaks Church of Christ. He dedicated himself, at 89 years old, to begin learning Spanish
so he could communicate more effectively. He deeply loved his Spanish church family and
spoke often of how much they had expanded his Corazon (heart). They affectionately called him
their “Toto Jim” (Grandpa Jim). Moises and Maritza were especially dear to him. They hold a
special place in all of our hearts for their love and selfless service to our daddy.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Letitia (Travis Jr.) Cornelius, of Plantersville, MS and their children Aslin and Ruslan. His daughter, Cynthia (Mark) Peacock, of Oakland, TN and their children Ben (Sydnee), Jonathan (Nicole), Rivers and Nya, and Great Grandchildren: Ben and Sydnee’s- Diesel, Maverick and Hollyn and Jonathan and Nicole’s- Callie and Graham. He also leaves his brothers, George (Betty) Latham of Sulphur Springs, TX, Wayne (Diane) Latham of Grand Forks, North Dakota, his sisters in law:
Linda (Boyd) Turner of Piedmont, South Carolina , Virginia Belue of Charlotte, North Carolina, along with a host of loved nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Jim Loys Latham and Hazel Rogers Latham, sister, Lois Faye Kessler, brother, Roger Latham, and brothers in law, Jimmy Belue, Gary Belue and Danny Belue.
The family will receive friends from 1pm until service time at 2pm, on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Great Oaks Church of Christ, 3355 Brunswick Rd., Memphis, TN 38133
