Joe F. Tatum

1925 - 2016

Joe F. Tatum

Hattiesburg, MS

Services will be held at 11:30 AM Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM Friday in Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall for Mr. Joe F. Tatum, 91, of Hattiesburg, MS.

He died peacefully Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at his residence.

Inurnment will be in Roseland Park Cemetery.

Mr. Tatum received his B.E.E.E. Engineering Degree in 1945 from the University of Vanderbilt. His graduate work was at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Social Fraternity and the ODK Honorary Fraternity. His business career was extensive. Mr. Tatum was Co-Founder and Board Chairman of Tatum Development Corporation, Tatum Timber Co., HMT Management Corp. and Land Management, LTD. He was the founder and board chairman of Loresco, Inc. He served as Board Director for the Merchants Co. and Mississippi Tank and Manufacturing Co. Mr. Tatum served on the Boards of the Willmut Gas Company and the Industrial Welding Supplies of Hattiesburg.

His professional involvements include being the recipient of the NACE Appalachian Col. George C. Cox Award in 1987, the holder of US patents in the fields of pressure control, heat equalization and corrosion. He authored many technical publications in these fields.

Mr. Tatum's professional certifications include: Professional Engineer, MS No. 875, the NACEO-Corrision Specialist No. 75, of which he was recipient of the 60 year Membership Pen in 2011, and the Professional Engineer (Corrision) of CA No. CR 228.

Mr. Tatum was a philanthropist devoted to his community. During his life, he directed his time, intelligence, leadership qualities and generosity towards developing Hattiesburg and Mississippi become ideal environments.

Mr. Tatum and Dr. Virginia Angelico Tatum were the lead gift contributors to the William Carey University Theatre, of which is named the Joe and Virginia Tatum Theatre. Mr. Tatum was the founder and board member of the Forrest General Hospital-Healthcare Foundation. He co-founded the Ciceronian Circle, member of USM Presidents' Community Advisory Council, former Governor of the LA-MS-TN District Kiwanis, past board chairman of Bancorp South, former President of the Area Development Partnership, former member of D.R.E.A.M. Hattiesburg Board, former Board President of the Mississippi District Export Council. He served as Charter President of the Hattiesburg Area Historical Society. He was past President of the Forrest/Lamar District Board of Junior Achievement of Mississippi. He served on the Board as a fund raiser for the United Way. Mr. Tatum was past President of Vanderbilt University Engineering Council and member of the Vanderbilt National Campaign Committee. Mr. Tatum was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lady Jean Barker Tatum; one grandson, Eugene M. Hauck, MD; his parents, Will Sion and Bernice Sarphie Tatum; two sisters, Margueritte McDonnell and Bernice Huddleston.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Angelico Tatum, DDS of Hattiesburg, MS; one son, Joseph F. "Chip" Tatum, Jr. (Mary) of Hattiesburg, MS; two daughters, Dawn Parker (Harold) of Sumrall and Deborah Hill (Stan) of Hattiesburg, MS; seven grandchildren, Tatum Allsep, Read Hauck, Sarah Helen Massee, Joseph F. Tatum, III, Lady Josephine Hirsch, Kelly Hill, Candace Oliver and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Eric Hale, Dr. Randy Ross and the dedicated caregivers.