James (Jim) was born in Greenwood, Mississippi but raised in Georgia. He graduated from Albany High School in Albany Georgia in 1958 and graduated from Georgia Tech University in 1962 with a degree in Industrial Management as a member of the ROTC.
After university, he joined the US Army, attended Helicopter School and graduated with his wings in January 1963. Jim served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam until March 1965 with the 121st Aviation Company in Soc Trang. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in May 1967.
After the Army, he worked for Bell Helicopter in Ft. Worth, TX until 1972 and then transitioned to a career in the oil and gas industry. His career took him around the world from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, Russia and across North America. Finishing his career as an independent consultant retiring in 2009.
Jim married Lynn Overton in June 1965. They had 3 children: Leigh (1966), Tracy (1968) and Chris (1971).
Preceded in passing by brother Lynn Douglas Colquitt in 1990, father L.B. in 2000, mother Minna Norman in 2008 and daughter Leigh in Feb 2006. Jim is survived by wife Lynn, daughter Tracy Whittaker, son Chris and 7 grandchildren: Shelby Devore, Haley Smith, Bryce Whittaker, Courtney Whittaker, Peyton Whittaker, Oscar Colquitt and Oakley Colquitt.
A catered visitation will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, TX 77384 on Sunday August 25, 2024 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00AM and an immediate graveside service at 12:00PM at Forest Park The Woodlands Cemetery.
