James Acel Fitchett Jr.

Jim was a native of Oxford, MS and a 1957 graduate of University High School and a 1961 graduate of the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Eta Chapter, Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Jim coached football at Metairie Park Country Day School in Metairie, LA and also taught and coached at Oxford High School. Later careers took him into insurance and sales, and later owning his own small business before his retirement in 1991.

In 1991, after battling heart disease for many years, Jim was given a new lease on life with a heart transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Jim was a good steward of his new heart taking good care of his “gift of life” for over 22 years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Donna Minotra Fitchett;  and two step-sons, David Bradley Potts and his wife Megan of Knoxville, TN and Joseph Kevin Potts and his wife Chrissy of Orlando, FL; and grandson, Isaiah Bradley Potts; sister, Rita Fitchett Carpenter and her husband Leroy of Nashville, TN; three nephews, Alan Carpenter and his wife Deanna of Cabot, AR, Scott Carpenter and his wife Kristen of Nashville, TN, and Chris Carpenter and his wife Kyla of Fairview, TN; niece, Mindy Carpenter Thornton and her husband Phil of Nashville, TN; five great nieces and two great nephews also survive.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Alive Hospice for their knowledge, care and compassionate concern during Jim’s many years of treatment.

All friends are cordially invited to a Celebration of Life Gathering that will be held on Sunday, the 24th of November 2013 between the hours of four o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening at Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.

On Tuesday, the 26th of November 2013, a Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at three o’clock in the afternoon at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford, MS with visitation for family and friends held two hours prior to the service.

Due to Jim and Donna’s love of Ole Miss and Ole Miss Athletics, they have requested that in lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions made in Jim’s honor be directed to: The Ole Miss Foundation, Davidson M-Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 249, University, MS 38677.