James Henry (Jim) McIntosh, Jr., 85, of Florence, Alabama, died of lung cancer on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at ECM Hospital in Florence. He was born on January 22, 1932 in Russellville, AL. In 1937, his family relocated to Florence, where his father had a men’s wear store, McIntosh Brothers.
Jim attended Coffee High School in Florence, where he was a member of the Honor Society, the Yellow Jackets football team, the Stimulator and other organizations. The Coffee Pot yearbook characterized him as “handsome to walk with and witty to talk with.” He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was in the Order of the Arrow in the Boys Scouts of America. He graduated from Coffee in 1949. He attended college at The University of the South at Sewanee, TN, where he was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity; member of Order of Gownsmen, Omicron Delta Kappa and Blue Key honorary societies; was Head Proctor; listed in Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges; served on the Pan-Hellenic and Intramural councils; and played varsity football. Graduating optima merens (with honors), he received a BS in Mathematics in 1953. He served in the US Navy 1953-57, graduating from Officer Candidate School at Newport, RI, and then as Lieutenant, was a navigator/bombardier on aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1959, he married Cornelia Belle Ladd of Garden City, NY, divorcing in 1982. After a brief stint working at National Pool Equipment Co. in Florence, he went into cattle farming with his father in Littleville, AL, where Jim’s sons often joined in the work. Following his 1984 retirement from farming, Jim was a real estate agent and a tax preparer with H&R Block for several years. He was also a friend of Bill Wilson and a member of the Good Ole Boys’ Club.
Jim was predeceased by his parents James Henry McIntosh, Sr. and Helen Massey McIntosh of Russellville; a nephew, John Edward McDonald III, and a niece, Melanie McIntosh, both of Florence. He is survived by his sons Henry Ladd McIntosh (wife Lynn) of Roswell, GA and their children Meredith, Matthew and Mark McIntosh; James Douglas McIntosh (wife Lori) of Lakeland, FL; and Alan Hubbard McIntosh of Florence; his sister Harriet Katherine McDonald, of Marietta, GA and Harriet’s sons Andrew, David, Paul and Joseph McDonald; his brother, John Wilkerson McIntosh of Atlanta, GA and John’s children Ingrid, Matthew and Golson McIntosh; his sister Jean Massey McIntosh of New Orleans, LA; and his longtime companion, Diane Smith of Florence.
The lives of Jim’s family and friends have all been enriched by his charm, wit, wisdom and guidance. He will be missed more than we can express, but his legacy to us lives on.
The family acknowledges Jim’s many friends and their contributions to his life. The family also wishes to thank his final caregivers in Florence: Lyman Mitchell, Jr. MD, Edsel Holden II MD, and the 5th and 6th floor staffs at ECM Hospital; and Carla Sevins MD, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
A visitation will be held on Monday, October 23 at Elkins Funeral Home, 1535 Hermitage Dr., Florence, 1-3 p.m. A private memorial service will follow at his home.