House Resolution 21

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LONGTIME WARREN COUNTY EDUCATOR, MR. JAMES E. "JIM" STIRGUS, SR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. James E. "Jim" Stirgus, Sr., to eternal rest on Thursday, December 17, 2020, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Warren County lost a wonderful community exemplar and longtime educator with the passing of Mr. Stirgus, born to the union of Carrie Wilkinson and Willie Stirgus on Tuesday, June 10, 1930, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan to the glory foretold in Romans 8:20-21, "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God"; and

WHEREAS, his early education started at Fontainebleau High School in Woodville, Mississippi, before the United States Army called him into service in 1950 and pulled him into the war for four years, eight months and seven days; and

WHEREAS, Jim married Ann Anthony in 1952 and into that union were brought four children, Connie, Wayne, Michael and James Jr.; eight grandchildren, Joseph, Justin, Adam, Paige, Meredith, Alexis, Erin and James II; and his caregiver, Lisa Sullivan, and he had two brothers and three sisters who all preceded him in death, and one sister, Dora Rankins; and

WHEREAS, Jim spent nearly 35 years as a teacher, principal, superintendent and performing various other jobs in Warren County's educational system; and he served as principal of Rosa A. Temple High School and later as superintendent of the Vicksburg City School System where the Vicksburg High School football field is named after him; and

WHEREAS, he was a proud member of the Port City Kiwanis Club, the city named a street James E. Stirgus Sr. Street after him in July 2019, an honor bestowed upon the man who impacted countless lives in Warren County and the City of Vicksburg; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed life's river to now stand upon the celestial shores in wonderment of Heaven's grandeur in glorious reunion with the kindred spirits who transitioned before him, including his parents, grandparents, Squire and Lizzie Hawkins, the legacy of Mr. Stirgus's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: wife, Ann Stirgus, of Vicksburg; three sons, Wayne A. Stirgus, Sr., and James E. Stirgus, Jr., both of Vicksburg, and Michael J. Stirgus, of Katy, Texas; and daughter, Connie A. Stirgus, of Kansas City, Kansas; eight grandchildren; and other friends and relatives; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of a genuine and selfless individual as Mr. Stirgus, whose life's light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along his earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. James E. "Jim" Stirgus, Sr., and express deepest sympathy upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. James E. "Jim" Stirgus, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.