James L. “Jimmy” Waring died Saturday, March 14, 2015, at his residence. He was 86.

Born in Vicksburg, he was the son of the late Daniel Pierson Waring Sr. and Katherine Dornbusch Waring. He graduated in 1946 from Carr Central High School and the University of Mississippi in 1951 as a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

He served in the US Marine Corps as a machine gun crewman from 1946 to 1948. His basic training was at Parris Island, S.C. and his service was on the USS Boxer aircraft carrier.

Jimmy was a lifelong member of Crawford Street United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher.

He started in the gas and oil business in 1951 and became owner of the Vicksburg Oil and Gas, one of the last full service stations, that along with Jimmy was a fixture in downtown Vicksburg for over 45 years. That business served as a training ground for his boys, where they learned the value of good work ethics and distinctive customer service. He also worked with Waring Oil Company for ten years in his retirement.

Jimmy was an avid golfer known for his outcries of “Baby Doll!” that would echo across the courses he played especially his beloved Vicksburg Country Club, where he was accompanied by Jinx, Bunny, George, Mac, Charlie, David, John, Jerry, and many others.

He loved his Ole Miss Rebels and always had a special twist on his favorite yell “Hotty Toddy.”

His gregarious personality and love for people has influenced his family for generations to come. His passions for dancing, family vacations, cookouts and breakfasts, including his “best grits in the South” are treasured by all who knew him.

The greatest testament of his love for family was his dedication and adoration of his “beautiful wife,” and his always asking, “where is Ida?”

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased in death by three brothers, D. P. Waring Jr., Bobby Waring and Albert Waring; and two sisters, Betty Aden and Katherine Silver.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ida Frances Prewitt; his five children, Larry (Nancy) Waring, Sally (Johnny) Owen, Tom (Edie) Waring, Betsy (Michael) Harbaugh and Andy (Kathy) Waring; 14 grandchildren, Dr. Jay (Carly) Waring, Katie and David Waring, Sarah Owen (Mark) Wilbanks, Justin (Jennifer) Waring, Brandon (Brittany) Waring, Ryan (Beth) Waring, Dr. Angela Ethridge (Dr. Holland) Alday, Amy Ethridge (Tyler) McNeal, and Kate Harbaugh (Brandon) Caine, Millie Waring (Grant) Gannon, Ashley, Callie and Jake Waring; six great-grandchildren, Eliza Gannon, Jackson Waring, Madelyn and Farrah McNeal, Martha Barrett Alday and Holloway Caine; and two sisters, Mary Frances Denton of Jackson and Nancy (Tom) Redmond of Tampa Fla.

The family would like to extend special gratitude for the tender care given in the last weeks of his life by Tina Qualls, Alaka (Lucy) Freeman, Camelia Health Care, Camelia Hospice, and Dr. Bill Pierce.

Services will be Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at Crawford Street United Methodist Church with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. and funeral celebration at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Cary Stockett, pastor of Crawford Street Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jay Waring, Justin Waring, Brandon Waring, Ryan Waring, David Waring, Jake Waring, Grant Gannon, Holland Alday, Mark Wilbanks, Tyler McNeal and Brandon Caine.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crawford Street Methodist Church, 900 Crawford Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180.