Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Sparta Methodist Church near Holcomb for Maj. James Kenneth Mixon, USAF (Ret), 87, of Holcomb, who died on Friday, March 17, at his residence. Burial with military rites will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada and also from 1 p.m. until service time on Wednesday, March 22, at Sparta Methodist Church.
Kenneth was born Oct. 28, 1935, in Water Valley, the son of the late Loren H. and the late Corrine Logan Mixon. He was a 1954 graduate of John Rundle High School in Grenada. Kenneth earned an associate degree from Holmes Community College, a bachelor’s degree in education from Delta State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, Calif. He also engaged in additional studies at the University of Mississippi, Thomas Nelson Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Kenneth enjoyed a long, successful career in public service. He began his career as a teacher at Jones Road Junior High School in Grenada. Shortly after, he joined the United States Air Force and attended officer training school where upon completion, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He served in a number of states and foreign countries, and retired as a Major in 1981 with 24 years of service to our great country. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Kenneth worked as a program director for Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., worked for a local contractor in Grenada, served as street superintendent and purchasing director for the City of Grenada and served as interim City Manager for the City of Grenada on two occasions.
Kenneth enjoyed learning and serving God and country. He was a former Boy Scout leader and in Grenada, he was active in Keep Mississippi Beautiful and Christmas In April. He was a member and officer with Grenada Lake Pacers, charter member of the Holcomb Lions Club and adopted a portion of Highway 35 for cleanup. Kenneth was a faithful member of Sparta Methodist Church in Holcomb where he served as trustee as well as in several other capacities.
In addition to his parents, one son, Matthew Perry, and sister-in-law, June Mixon, preceded Kenneth in death.
Survivors include, his wife, Julie Carroll Mixon; two sons, Kenny Mixon (Gina) of Virginia and Richard Mixon of Tennessee; daughter, Beth Perry Sammons (Carl) of Georgia; daughter-in-law, Vicky Perry Mitchell of Grenada; sister, Ann Mixon Collins (Jimmy Ray) of Grenada; brother, Gene Mixon of Holcomb; three granddaughters, Casey M. Mixon, Alexandra K. Perry and Caroline E. Perry; two grandsons, Brooks W. Sammons (Hannah) and Matthew Sammons, and three great grandchildren, Rhett Sammons, Emmett Sammons and Abby Marie Sammons.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Sparta Building Fund or Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 157, Holcomb, MS 38940 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
