James Catches Sr.

James Stephen

Catches, Sr.

1952-2014

James Stephen Catches, Sr., 62, died on November 22, 2014 after a courageous fight against melanoma cancer. He was born on January 28, 1952 in Pensacola, FL. A life-long resident of Pensacola, Jimmy was a natural athlete who excelled at both baseball and football, and loved surfing and barefoot skiing. After high school, Jimmy joined AT&T in 1970 as a lineman. He met the love of his life, Rita A. Rice, in March 1974, and they married at St. John's Catholic Church on November 20, 1976.

With Rita's support, Jimmy earned his BA in Political Science from UWF in 1982. Jimmy's work ethic was unmatched. While attending college, he worked full time at AT&T and was an active member of the CWA, including serving as Vice President. He worked his way up through craft at AT&T and went into management in 1999. He retired October 31, 2014 as a Project Manager after over 44 years of service with the company. Upon his retirement he said, "I can't express the amount of love, joy, and sorrow that we shared over these years - but life with family at work was as meaningful as life with family at home."

Jimmy was a "doer" - Jimmy was passionate about politics and ran two hard fought campaigns in the early 1980s for FL State House of Representatives. Throughout his life he volunteered with various organizations and was very active in his community. He organized and worked the Pensacola Seafood Festival Children's Area for multiple years. He was a long time member and past President of the West Pensacola Optimist Club. He was an active church member at Little Flower and St. Anne's Catholic Churches.

Jimmy was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed coaching his children in flag football and soccer at the YMCA and was supportive of all his children's academic and social activities. We will especially miss his gentle kindness and the warmth he showed to all. He made everyone feel comfortable and never met a stranger. He was the neighbor that was eager to help everybody. He was always respectful of people regardless of their views. He was a true Christian gentleman. His family and friends will miss and cherish forever his quick humor and ready smile, two things that made him so much fun to be around.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his father, Johnnie S. Catches; mother, Jacquelyn G. Catches; mother-in-law, Evelyn Rice; and brother, Joseph E. Catches.

Jimmy is survived by his adoring wife and best friend of 38 years, Rita A. Catches; loving children, James S. Catches, Jr., Dr. Justin S. Catches (Alexandra), Melanie E. Catches; and Daniel P. Brady (Alicia), whom he embraced as his own; brother: John S. Catches (Moira); sister, Jennifer A. Catches (David); and dogs, JJ and Oliver.

A rosary service will be held at 5:00PM on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd, Pensacola, FL with visitation following till 7:00PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at Little Flower Catholic Church, 6495 Lillian Hwy, Pensacola, FL with Rev. Eugene Casserly and Rev. James Thoyalil officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Pensacola, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen or Covenant Hospice.

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