James “Jimmy” Walker Burford, 74, of Germantown, TN, escaped this mortal realm on Monday December 5, 2022. He leaves behind no fewer than 3 boats, 5 boat motors, and a garage full of random items that could potentially prove helpful in the event of zombie apocalypse. Condolences should really go to our mother, as she was married to him for 46 years and has to clean out the garage.
Jimmy, or “Mr. B” to anyone under the age of 45, or Grandang to the grandkids, is survived by his wife Theryn Terry Burford, his daughters Meredith (Heath) Elliott, Michelle (Josh) Null, sister Gayle (Bob) Bennett, grandchildren Bayleigh and Holden Elliott, Arden Burford, and Jade and Aubree Null. He also leaves behind two rescue dogs Bella and Maggie, and one antique cat that Michelle left at home when she went to college.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents James and Kathryn Burford and a sister Jannie Kathryn Burford. Jimmy graduated from Messick High School and went on to attend Memphis State University. He later volunteered to serve his country in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves. Retirement came in 2017 after 35 plus years in the heavy equipment sales industry. He loved offshore fishing, and likely only came home for his wife’s southern cooking. His favorite things included Alabama football, Memphis Tigers basketball, BBQ, fast cars, western movies, Terry’s homemade banana pudding, inappropriate jokes, and his family.
If you wish to honor Jimmy’s memory, spend more time outdoors, teach your kids and grandkids to properly cast and take them fishing, regard speed limits and Germantown code enforcement notifications as “suggestions”, and NEVER skip dessert. Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Humane Society of Memphis Shelby County, or your favorite watering hole where you are instructed to tie one on and share stories of your buddy Burford. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, December 17 at 3pm at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave. Visitation 2-3pm. Reception to follow.
