Dr. Percy Auburn Jaquess

Dr. Percy Auburn Jaquess, of Cordova, Tennessee, died on Monday, July 21, 2025, at Spring Gate Rehabilitation Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Jaquess was a respected scientist, researcher leaves behind a legacy of innovation, integrity and love for his family.
Born on June 9, 1948, in Dyersburg, Tennessee, he was the son of the late James Auburn "Jim" Jaquess and the Mary Martha Miller Jaquess.
Raised in Tigrett, Tennessee, Dr. Jaquess was a 1966 graduate of Dyersburg High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1970, followed by a Master of Science in 1978 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1983, both from Memphis State University.
His early career included work with Schering Plough Corporation in Memphis, Tennessee from 1972 to 1975, where he trained in research toxicology. He then served as a teaching assistant at Memphis State University and held a Pharmacology Associate position at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where his passion for science and discovery continued to flourish.
In 1979, Dr. Jaquess joined Buckman Laboratories (formerly Buckeye Corporation), where he spent decades in the Research and Development Department. He served as a Senior Research Microbiologist and later as Project Manager, pioneering significant advancements in the development and evaluation of new antimicrobials. His work also led to innovations in the use of enzymes for novel products in the paper, leather, and water treatment industries. He authored and co-authored numerous professional papers and was awarded more than a dozen patents throughout his career.
Dr. Jaquess was nationally recognized for his contributions to environmental chemistry and received acknowledgement for his research from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Throughout his career Dr. Jaquess always upheld a focus on how to best serve a community's environmental and industrial agriculture needs without compromise to either.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Jaquess enjoyed the peace of fishing, the adventure of scuba diving and golf but most of all, the company of his family. Time spent with his beloved grandson, Gavin, brought him his greatest joy.
Funeral services for Dr. Jaquess will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Officiating this service will be Mr. James Miller Jaquess. Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery in Friendship, Tennessee. Visitation for Mr. Jaquess will be held on Sunday from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home.
He leaves to cherish his memory; two sons, Paul Jaquess of Cordova, Tennessee and Shawn Jaquess (Lisa) of Brandon, Mississippi; one brother, James Miller Jaquess of Tigrett, Tennessee; two sisters, Carol Jaquess of Webster Grove, Missouri and Lugeania Jaquess-Scudere of Piney Flats, Tennessee; one grandson, Gavin Jaquess and his former wife, Fluffy Jaquess of Memphis, Tennessee.
Honoring Mr. Jaquess as pallbearers will be Randle Bushart, Frank Cunningham, Andrea Gatti, Williams Scudere, Stephen Scudere and Paul Jaquess. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Baker Miller and Larry Joe Bushart.
Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Dr. Percy Auburn Jaquess.
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