Homer T. Denham, Jr.

Homer T. Denham, Jr., 89, of Laurel died September 17, 2011, at South Central Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 20, at 11 am at First Baptist Church of Laurel with burial in Lake Park Cemetery. Dr. Randall W. Turner will officiate. A native of Laurel, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Homer Denham. He graduated from George S. Gardiner High School and attended Mississippi State University and The University of Mississippi, where he was affiliated with Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He served with the 8th Infantry Division in the European Theatre in World War II and received numerous wartime decorations including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After returning home from World War II, he entered into business with his father as a distributor of both Texaco and Phillips 66 Petroleum Company. Mr. Denham was an active participant in civic and church activities. He was on the Board of Directors of Commercial National Bank and the Advisory Board of Directors of Trustmark of Laurel until his retirement in 1995. He was past president of the Laurel Country Club, served three terms as president of the Hundred Club of Jones County, a member of the American Legion, EDA of Jones County, a charter member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, served on the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers and a Life Member of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Laurel where he assisted in many capacities, including the building and grounds committee of the present church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Edelle Denham; his wife, Mimi Markette Denham; and his daughter, Melissa Denham Downing. Mr. Denham is survived by his second wife, Virginia Truitt Denham; a daughter and son-in-law, Betsy Denham Thaxton and Tony Thaxton; son-in-law Lee Downing, all of Laurel; five grandchildren, Tony Thaxton, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Richmond, Virginia; John Thaxton and his wife Kelli of Laurel; Joel Thaxton of Greenville, South Carolina, Lee Downing, Jr. of Laurel; and Amanda Downing Arender and her husband, Matt, of Laurel; and four great-grandchildren, Brooke and Brandon Thaxton of Richmond, Virginia, and Millie and Kit Arender of Laurel. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family requests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Foundation, Christian Food Mission or to a favorite charity. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 20th at 10 am prior to the service at 11 am at the First Baptist Church of Laurel. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of the arrangements.

Homer T. Denham, Jr.

July 10, 1922 - September 17, 2011