James "Jimbo" Charles Ratcliff, Jr.

James “Jimbo” C. Ratcliff, 57 of Collierville, TN passed away peacefully on March 9th surrounded by friends and family at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA.

Jimbo was in Okinawa while his father was stationed there as a flight surgeon for the U. S. military. He spent his childhood in Brooksville, MS where he learned to love the wonders of the Tombigbee River swamp where his father built an A frame camphouse on the bank of the river. He attended Central Academy in Macon, MS where he excelled academically and on the football field. Then he was off to the University of Mississippi where he was an extremely active member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. After college, he built a successful commodity brokerage practice with a global client base. In his spare time he cultivated a garden that most would have described as a “truck farm,” played golf and loved following his beloved Ole Miss Rebels. His extensive travels took him many places, but his favorite destinations were Cashiers, NC and the boudin trail and Cajun meat markets of South Louisiana.
As a founder and President of Bigbee Valley Hunting Club, Jimbo introduced the wonders of outdoor life to a host of young men and was a major force in their spiritual and emotional growth. As a celebrated cook, Jimbo brought joy and laughter to countless friends as his culinary magic brought people from all walks of life to a common table of love and sharing.

He follows his father, Dr. James Ratcliff to heaven. He is survived by Sloan Eskrigge, his soul- mate, sous chef and in the end, caregiver extraordinaire. Her love knew no bounds. He also is survived by his mother, Carol; sisters, Karen Varner (Paul) and Suzan Bell (Dudley); brother, Bob Ratcliff (Robin); nieces, Heather Mason (Chris), Jaimee Lee (Stephen), Fran Snow (Nathan) and Amanda Blunt (Trey); and his nephew, Joel Varner. He also leaves Sloan’s children, Brock and Mary Cayce and numerous great-nieces and nephews who all adored him.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 13th at Cockrell Funeral Home in Macon, MS from 11:30 AM -1:30 PM with a graveside service at Brooksville Cemetery, Brooksville, MS at 2:00 PM.
Pallbearers are Bill Andrews, Robert Cunningham, Bobo Terrill, Joel Varner, Chris Mason, Nathan Snow, Stephen Lee, and Brock Eskrigge. Honorary Pallbearers are: Daniel Mason, Past and Present Members of Bigbee Valley Hunting Club; Past and Present Members of Papa’s Night Out; The Grove Family; Memphis Trade Office and J.K. Kimball, Clay Mosley, Robert Sparks, Fant Klindworth and Junior Hines.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be sent to the Sigma Nu Fraternity, PO Box 1036, Oxford, MS 38655 or the Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.