James Earl Bobo was born December 18, 1930 in West Point, MS to Jessie Gilbert and Minnie Lee (ne'e Montgomery) Bobo. During WWII, he was a youth member of the MS State Guard. He graduated from Tupelo High School in 1948 where he played the trombone in the marching band. Jim attended Georgia State University in Atlanta prior to his draft into the Korean Conflict.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Peery "Kay" Clayton before shipping off for Basic Training.

He and Kay lived throughout MS, AL and TN as they raised their three children; Lee (Rick) Metelka, Jay (Kelly) Bobo and Kim (Tom) Bobbitt.

After a lifetime in sales, Jim retired from Johnson & Johnson as Regional Sales Manager in Memphis, TN where he developed new sales agents for the company.

His retirement years were spent with his second wife, Dorothy, as he delved deeply into his passion for history. For over 30 years he was an active member of the TN Genealogical Society, volunteering as both president and business manager. He researched and published numerous articles on history and traveled Europe extensively. One of Jim's greatest joys was traveling to Sepphoris, Israel, a one hour
walk from Nazareth, to participate in a six-week archeological dig.

Jim was an avid Square and Round dancer for over 60 years. He was a member of The Greater Memphis Square and Round Dance Association enjoying the company of various clubs for decades. Jim published the Association newsletter until recently.

Jim is survived by his wife of 29 years, Dorothy, as well as his children and their spouses.

His nine grandchildren, Bob (Sally Osborn) Metelka, Kyle (Megan) Metelka, Frank (Sarah Walker) Metelka, Nathan (Becca) Bobo, Erin (Matt) Ramsey, Spencer, Forrest, Zach and Harrison Bobbitt will share fabulous memories with his eight great grandchildren Aubrey, Holden and Sylvia Metelka, John Allison and Charleston Bobo, Haynes Ramsey, Caleb Metelka and Sloan Metelka.

Jim was loved by his niece Stacy (David) Riley mother of Jordan (Kimber) and Eric and his nephew Charley (Karen) Bobo, father of Courtney, Charles and Sydney.

He will be missed by his honorary granddaughter Kelsey Wilhelm Nelms and his step children Mark McKenzie and Debbie Paessler, mother of Matthew.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Jean Bobo and their son Tim.

The family asks friends to consider a contribution to TN Genealogical Society, 7771 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN 38138.