James F. (Jimmy) Gordon a life-long resident of Clinton, MS passed away on January 13, 2017. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1959 and from Mississippi College in 1963, having completed a double major in English and modern languages. He was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in 1963 and continued his studies in English literature at the University of Virginia, earning the M.A. in 1964. He did additional graduate work in English at UVA until 1968. He was employed from 1968 to 1981 as an assistant professor of English at Belhaven College. In 1975, he began work on the doctorate in Higher Education at the University of Mississippi and received the Ph.D. in 1982. From 1981 to 2003 he taught English at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Fred Gordon and Emily Smith Gordon; his sister, Betty Gordon Watson, and his nephew, Khaled Fokeladeh. He is survived by his sister, Emily Gordon Fokeladeh; niece, Linda Carol Watson; nephews Hamed Fokeladeh (Jackie) and Samir Fokeladeh; great nephews Michael and Matthew Fokeladeh, and his long-time companion, Linda M. Hill.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to any organization that helps animals, to the Gateway Rescue Mission (418 South Gallatin St., Jackson, MS 39203), or to any other charitable organization.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017 in Clinton at Wright and Ferguson at 2:00 p.m. following visitation from 12:00 noon until the time of the service.