Jimmy Jon Webster

Jimmy was born on December 22, 1957, in Fort Worth, Texas to James and Katherine Webster. His father spent many years in ministry from Jackson, MS, to Nashville, TN, to New Orleans, LA and back to Jackson, MS. From his early life, it was very evident that Jimmy was uniquely gifted by God in art, music, photography and always had a love for team sports. He especially loved playing football and basketball as well as watching and coaching his sons as they played baseball, basketball, and soccer.

He attended Forest Hill High School, where he graduated in 1975, then continued his education at Hinds Community College, where he earned an associate’s degree in commercial art. Using his gift as an artist, he worked for McCarty Holman (Jitney Jungle) as a graphic artist for the company sign shop.

In 1982, Jimmy felt the Lord leading him to change his career direction and further his education in computers and technology. He and his brother Barry moved to Hattiesburg, MS to be roommates at The University of Southern Mississippi. On the 2nd day of school, Jimmy met the love of his life, Deborah Kathryn Benton Webster and spent his college years falling in love, actively supporting Golden Eagle athletics, playing and leading intramural teams in flag football, basketball and softball. Jimmy completed his degree in Computer Science in 1984, married Debbie and had their first child, Justin James Webster, in Hattiesburg. Jimmy was passionate in all that he set his mind to, and he and Debbie centered their life on faith, family, love and creating countless cherished memories. He was richly blessed and extremely proud of his three children and the strong families they have today. Jimmy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather (“Daddy Cat”), son, brother and uncle who treasured his time with those he loved.

Jimmy invested most of his professional career with the State of Mississippi at the Department of Information Technology Services, delivering strong solutions, promoting teamwork and helping manage the evolution of the State’s technology for 28 years. His career spanned many areas including Procurement, Network Services, Information Security and Strategic Services. He retired from the State and then started his own consulting company, JFW Consulting, where he continued to work alongside state agencies and Universities. He finished his working years at CSpire where he worked for 8 years as the Vice President of Government Contracts managing statewide contracts in Mississippi and across the Southeast.

Beyond his career, Jimmy found great joy in spending time with his family by taking the kids and grandkids out on the golf cart and the boat, grilling out to have a family meal around the table and enjoying God’s artistry in lakeside sunsets off of his back porch. He enjoyed leading his life group at Broadmoor Baptist Church, using God’s gift of mentoring young co-workers, husbands and fathers and he touched countless lives by sharing his faith, experience and insights. He loved travelling with his wife and family, especially when it coincided with Southern Miss athletics. Jimmy was so full of life, he loved dancing and a good song could instantly bring a smile to his face and put a jig in his step.

Family was at the center of his life. He is survived by wife, Deborah Kathryn Webster and 3 children, oldest son Justin James Webster and wife Molly Gee Waggener Webster of Madison, MS, daughter Jessica Ann Webster of Madison, MS, and son Jon Michael Webster and wife Jamie Ainsworth Webster of Magee, MS as well as 6 grandchildren, Cyrena Ann Webster, Katharine James Webster, Jett James Webster, Thomas Jay Webster, Jon Benton Webster, and Rivers Rose Webster; Mother, Eris Katherine Irwin Webster of Brandon, MS; Sister, Kathy Kim Webster of Clinton, MS; Brother, Barry Judd Webster and wife Tiffanie Chism Webster of Tallahassee, FL; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father James Franklin Webster.

Jimmy will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered for his faith and love for Jesus and showing that light to everyone he met, loving his family deeply and supporting them in any way possible, mentoring young friends and family to become the best versions of themselves, and never failing to bring laughter to any situation.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, September 24th at 2:00 at Broadmoor Baptist Church at 1531 Highland Colony Parkway, Madison MS. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 2:00, prior to the funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Jimmy Jon Webster Memorial Scholarship Fund (Fund 0902) at The University of Southern Mississippi where a scholarship is being developed specifically for a child raised within the foster care system.

http://www.usmfoundation.com/jimmywebster

Pallbearers will be Jay Neal, Jim McKay, Rick Thomsen, John Murphy, Jack Thomsen, James Shaw, Ben Shaw, and Gary Ward, with honorary pallbearers Rodney Cummins, David Irwin, Thomas Jenkins, and Roger Graves †.