James A. Hemphill Sr.

James A. Hemphill, Sr. of Madison, passed away on Friday, April 20, 2012, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS. Mr. Hemphill was born on October 3, 1923, to Arthur and Helen Hemphill in the Cameron community of Madison County. He attended Holmes Jr. College and served in the European Theater of the US Army during World War II. In the early 1950’s, he became interested in plastic processing which became a life-long pursuit and distinguished career. He is considered a Plastic Pioneer and was instrumental in bringing the plastics industry to Mississippi. During his business career, Mr. Hemphill was the owner of Hemphill Electric Company, Production Planning Supervisor at Vickers, Inc., Owner and President of R & H Manufacturing, President and Co-owner of Gulf Plastics, Inc., and President and Co-owner of Seagull, Inc. After his retirement in 1989, he remained a strong advocate for the plastics industry working with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi and Holmes Community College on both research and development and job training and curriculum. He also served as the Interim and Associate Director of the Mississippi Polymer Institute.

Mr. Hemphill was the recipient of numerous awards and honors. He was a member of the Society of Plastic Engineers and, in 1985, founded the Society of Plastic Engineers, Section S88, in Jackson. He served as Chapter President and was named Senior Member Emeritus in 1991. Mr. Hemphill served on the Industrial Advisory Committee of the University of Southern Mississippi, Polymer Science School for a number of years. He was a former member of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Rankin County Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi Manufacturers Association. In 1995, Mr. Hemphill had the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Plastic Pioneers Association of America.

Mr. Hemphill was a generous man who loved to talk to people from all walks of life. He was a member of Madison United Methodist Church.

Mr. Hemphill is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lucille Mansell, and brothers, Maurice and Robert.

He is survived by his wife and business partner of 68 years, Rachel Roberson Hemphill, sons Bill (Sylvia) of Brandon, Jimmy (Mary) of Pelahatchie, and daughters Susan Littell (Eric) of Madison, Cathy Comish (Keith) of Ridgeland, grandchildren: Shelley (Dennis) Bock of Starkville, Buster (Vandana) Hemphill of Manhattan, NY, Renee (James) Barron of Terry, Karen (Al) Bruce of Mize, Todd Littell of Madison, Neil (Dana) Littell of Greenwood, and Clark and Kendall Comish of Ridgeland, 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Wright & Ferguson on Highland Colony Parkway on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel and interment in The Mausoleum. Services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Joe Landrum of First United Methodist Church, Canton, MS.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPE Section S88 Jim Hemphill Endowment Fund at the Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter.