James Marvin “J. M.” Dees, Sr., 84, of Tifton passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at his home following a long illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at Oakey Grove Church. Elder Buck Wood, Elder Jim Sandlin and Elder Wendell Horton will officiate with burial to follow in Oakey Grove Church Cemetery. Beloved grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Adam Davis, Scott Davis, Patrick Davis, Ian Stephens, Michael Hayes and Chris Griffin will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 6, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Mr. Dees will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
Mr. Dees was born on February 3, 1927 in Enigma and was the oldest son of W. C. “Clemons” Dees and Bertha Parr Dees. His siblings were Ruby McLeod and Frances Carter, who all preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, James Travis Dees. After serving in World War II, he worked for Standard Oil (BR Calhoun Oil) in Tifton, until his retirement. After retiring, he continued to work for the Georgia Agrirama until he was 75 years of age. He was a member of Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church.
Mr. Dees is survived by his wife of 62 years, Omagene “Jean” Rooks Dees of Tifton; his children and their spouses, Jimmy and Pat Dees and Larry and Janice Dees, all of Tifton, Glenda and Ronnie Long of Lenox, Kathy Eckert of Sarasota, Florida and Keith and Vicki Dees of Chula; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Flowers will be accepted, however, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Bethany Hospice, in Mr. Dees’ honor.