James Byrnes “Jimmy” Heidel

Mr. James Byrnes “Jimmy” Heidel, 79, died Saturday, November 4, 2023, at The Pinnacle in Oxford, MS. The funeral will be Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at Oxford – University United Methodist Church with Rev. Warren Black and Rev. Chris McAlilly officiating and Dr. Tom Meredith speaking. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:30 P.M. in the atrium of the church. A private graveside service will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

Jimmy was born on December 1, 1943, in Benton, MS, to the late Bernice Crowder and Roy Lorenzo Heidel. He was raised in Yazoo City, MS, attending Yazoo City High School, where his passion for football began. Graduating with the class of 1961, he was named Mr. Yazoo City and the Most Valuable Player for his time on the football field. His talent for football earned him a scholarship to The University of Mississippi, where he lettered for four years playing football and running track, and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Jimmy earned the University of Mississippi Athletic Leadership Award in 1965. The following year, in 1966, he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, and soon thereafter played in the College All-Star Game in Chicago, IL. Jimmy went on to play professional football with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966, was an original New Orleans Saint beginning in 1967, and ended his career with the New York Jets in 1968.

Jimmy later continued his studies at Ole Miss, earning a Master of Social Science with a Major in Economics and City Planning and Minor in Political Science. When Jimmy finally said goodbye to his time as student at Ole Miss, he took with him a lifetime of memories, many academic and athletic achievements, and countless lifelong friends. He would later be inducted into The University of Mississippi M-Club Hall of Fame in 2004.

In 1969, Jimmy began his professional career as the Assistant Director of South Delta Planning & Development District in Greenville, MS, where he worked until 1974. He was then hired as the first County Administrator in the State of Mississippi for Bolivar County. After nearly ten years in his position there, he accepted a job as Executive Vice President of Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Director of Vicksburg-Warren County Economic Development Foundation, and Director of Warren County Port Commission. Jimmy handled the tasks of these varied positions with ease and grace from 1983 until 1992. He then went on to work as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development in Jackson. In 1994, Jimmy was honored in Washington, D.C. as State Executive of the Year for the United States, and in the same year earned the Distinguished American Award from the Central Mississippi Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. He was also recognized again in 1996, receiving the National Black Caucus State Legislatures Service Award, among other honors.

In 2001, Jimmy opened his own firm, Jimmy Heidel Consultants, continuing his work recruiting business and industry, and providing jobs for the people of the State of Mississippi. Even with his extensive work history, Jimmy still managed to be involved in his community through countless boards, projects, and charities.

Although he had a busy, varied career, the work that meant the most to Jimmy was his involvement with the church. He devoted much of his time to serving as a Deacon, Elder, and Youth Sunday school class teacher at the Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, MS. Jimmy also served as a youth leader and acted as a youth mentor during his time in Jackson.

All of the above pales in comparison to the love and devotion Jimmy held for his wife of 58 years, Joanna. Together they raised two beautiful children, and created a life filled with happiness and love. Jimmy enjoyed every moment spent with Joanna, whether on the dance floor, golf course, or on one of their many traveling adventures. He was an ever-present and involved father to his children, always setting the finest example. Jimmy’s kindness was striking, touching the lives of each person he met. You could never find him in a bad mood, and he had a way of curing other’s bad days, too. He was the most loving person, with an ability to brighten any room, and his presence will be missed greatly by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Hurlan Ray Heidel.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Joanna Poole Heidel of Oxford, MS; daughter, Anna Finney Heidel Couhig and her husband, Peter, of Baton Rouge, LA; son, James Byrnes Heidel, Jr. and his partner, Dr. Raymond Johnson of Frederick, MD; brother, Roy Edward Heidel of Yazoo City, MS; three beloved grandchildren, Anna Reese Couhig, James E. “Buster” Couhig, and Marcus A. “Mac” Couhig; brother-in-law, Jim Poole and his wife, Gayle; and many nieces and nephews.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Jimmy’s memory may be made to the Jimmy and Ray Heidel Economic Development Leadership Award, Post Office Box 1637, Jackson, MS 39215 or to the Ole Miss Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Post Office Box 1476, Oxford, MS 38655.