James “Jim” Gordon Batson, Jr. passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021 in Florence, MS. Visitation and a Memorial Service will be held in his honor at Greenoaks Funeral Home in Baton Rouge, LA at 1:00 pm, burial at 2:00 pm, Monday, December 6, 2021.
Jim was born in Washington, D.C. to James Gordon Batson, Sr. and Madolyn Stanley Batson on January 4, 1935, the only son of four children. Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, VA. A Veteran of the Korean War, Jim served active duty from 1953 to 1957 during which he met and married the love of his life, Gladys Irene Panzer Batson. Jim continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves while attending the University of Virginia, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in 1961. Upon graduating, he began his career with Shell Oil. Jim spent most of his career in Baton Rouge, LA where he and Gladys raised their four children. He also worked in Pasadena, TX; Geismar, LA; Japan; the Netherlands; Saudi Arabia; Norco, LA; and Lakeland, FL. While in Saudi Arabia he and Gladys traveled the world. After a noble 32-year career, Jim retired from Shell Oil in 1993. In addition to their immense passion for travel, Jim and Gladys thoroughly enjoyed bass fishing together.
Jim is survived by his sons Robert Batson (and his wife, Veronika) of Soldotna, Alaska and Jim (and his wife, Jennifer) of Springfield, Louisiana; his daughters Karen Batson Lizana (and her husband, Jerry) of Gulfport, Mississippi and Cheryl Batson Reeves of Florence, Mississippi; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; his sisters Betty Allen (and her husband Bob), Mary Moore, and Lynn Sanchez (and her husband Jake). He is preceded in death by his wife Gladys Batson of 54 years; his granddaughter Chalynn Keck; his great-grandchildren Ayden Star Ryleigh and Terry Logan; and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s honor may be made to Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS 39157.
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