James Alexander Torrey, Jr., age 84, of Meadville Mississippi, a retired attorney, banker and community leader, died at Merit Health Central in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 10, 2020 after a brief illness.  Visitation will be at Franklin Funeral Home in Meadville from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2020. The funeral service and interment are planned for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Midway Cemetery, Meadville, Mississippi.  In the event of rain, the funeral service will be at Meadville United Methodist Church. Appropriate COVID-19 protocol will be observed at all services.

The oldest son of Judge James A. Torrey, Sr. and Lexine Everett Torrey, Jimmy was born and raised in Meadville, Franklin County, Mississippi, and returned there to live after attending the University of Mississippi for undergraduate studies, law school and medical school. A Christian man, renowned for his kindness and generosity, Jimmy served as an Elder of Meadville Presbyterian Church for most of his adult life. He loved the outdoors, particularly snow skiing, and was a gifted weather forecaster—always confident that it was snowing in Port Gibson. Jimmy became an animal lover later in life and left behind many beloved pets including his loyal dog, Sweetie. He had a passion for classic cars and could often be seen cruising around Meadville in his fully restored red 1960 Chevrolet Corvette or black 1957 Chevy Bellaire. Jimmy loved adventure, particularly road trips, and was known to leave late on a Friday afternoon and drive cross country anywhere from Miami to California just to eat at a particular restaurant or to attend LBJ's burial.  During the last months of his life, he was fortunate to have developed many new friendships with the residents and caregivers at The Aspen Assisted Living Facility in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Jimmy was a founding partner of the law firm of McGehee, McGehee & Torrey, where he and his law partner, Mayes McGehee, mentored and molded many young associates into skilled attorneys, primarily in real estate, oil and gas, government law and corporate law. Jimmy was renowned in Southwest Mississippi and beyond for his expertise in real property law. It was not uncommon for Jimmy to rattle off specific deed book and page references from memory. He was sought after throughout the state and beyond for his comprehensive and meticulous oil and gas opinions which continue to be relied upon by the legal community. While serving as long-time attorney for the Franklin County Board of Supervisors and for the Boards of the Towns of Meadville and Bude, various other agencies and water associations, he also served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Franklin, ascending to the office of Chairman. He worked tirelessly for the economic development and betterment of Franklin County, serving for many years as the Civil Defense Director. As such, Jimmy often spent nights in the courthouse to monitor severe weather and other emergencies or to assist law enforcement in high level emergencies. In fact, many would consider Jimmy an expert on the subject of emergencies, having often proclaimed that he was "working on seventeen emergencies and was going to be still working on them out of the back door of Parker's Funeral Home". He counted himself fortunate to have founded an early friendship and relationship with the Creekmores, owners of Franklin Telephone Company, which enabled him to be a part of their vision to bring wide-spread cellular telephone service to Mississippi through the founding of Cellular South, (later C-Spire).  Always an intelligent man who was ahead of his time in the electronics field, his affiliation with C-Spire allowed him to use his skills, interests and talents for the benefit of the company and its customers.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Tammy Underwood Torrey; his nephews, Tyler (Vanessa) Torrey and Stone Underwood; his nieces Terry (Charley) Davidson, Jennifer (Bart) Denny, and Susan (Ian) Thomas; step-brothers Louis Wentworth and Lynn Wentworth; step-sister Sara Wentworth Adams, special cousin Nell Torrey Bolt and a host of other cousins and friends who thought of themselves as his family. Jimmy was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Glen Everett Torrey, his step-mother, Lillian Costley Wentworth Torrey, and his beloved Grandmother Lillian Guice Torrey.

The service will be conducted by Hollis McGehee with music provided by Susie Kimbrough and Chuck McMinn. Pallbearers will be Bill Halford, Will Halford, Brad Jones, Pat Larkin, Bowmar McGehee, Caj McGehee, Lane Reed and Barry Tyson.  Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Childs, Wade Creekmore, Hal Graves, Ed Herring, Howard Herring, Carson Hughes, Jimmy Jones, James Newman, David Scarbrough, Gregg Tindle, Harold Wentworth and members of the Franklin County Bar Association.

The family requests that memorials be made to Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, P. O. Box 3477, Brookhaven, MS 39603 or the charity of your choice.