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201 West Lampkin St.,
STARKVILLE, MS 39759
Phone: (662) 323-5905
201 West Lampkin St.
STARKVILLE, MS 39759
Phone: (662) 323-5905
201 West Lampkin St.
STARKVILLE, MS 39759
Phone: (662) 323-5905
201 West Lampkin St.
STARKVILLE, MS 39759
Phone: (662) 323-5905
201 West Lampkin St.
STARKVILLE, MS 39759
Phone: (662) 323-5905
James Updike
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Welch Funeral Homes
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Obituary for James P. (Jim) Updike

James P. (Jim) Updike was born on November 9, 1949, in Washington, D.C., to Warren James Updike and Patricia Kain Updike. He was the second of four children and the only son. The family soon located right outside the District into Silver Spring, Maryland, where Jim grew up. He graduated from Springbrook High School and studied at Montgomery College.
During this time, he started working at Herson’s in Rockville, MD., a large motorcycle dealership, where he used his knowledge of bikes and his love for riding them. While working there, he met a young woman from Tennessee named Jeannie. In August, 1976 , the two young hippies went to the courthouse in Rockville and got married. The groom wore his usual uniform of jeans and a white T shirt, with the bride attired in orange hip hugger bell bottoms and a pink midi- top.It was a toss-up as to whose hair was longer and prettier.
Leaving Maryland a couple of years later, the Updikes spent a year in Pennsylvania before deciding to pack and up and move to Mississippi, joining his in laws and large extended family. Upon arrival, Jim took a job as a medical sales representative, beginning a 33 years career in the field and locating to Starkville in 1979.
Jim excelled at one-on-one relationships with his customers, and was twice awarded Sales of the Year by his company, which was at the time the largest medical supply company in the nation. His diligence and integrity were unquestioned and respected by his co workers and peers in the industry.
All during these years, he and Jeannie were raising a daughter and son. He coached Dizzy Dean baseball for 10 years, teaching young men not only the game, but how to live off the field by his example. They have been active members of Emmanuel Baptist Church for over 20 years, serving in various capacities, including teaching Sunday school classes for kids in the 4th-6th grade. Since retirement from Owens & Minor, Inc., three and a half years ago, Jim has continued to take care of the church building. He is also on the deacon board of Emmanuel .
Throughout his career and church service, Jim has never been without a creative hobby, including wood working, his great passion, trout fishing, racing dirt bikes until age 60, and in recent years, fly-tying, making his own beautiful crank baits, and following Mississippi State baseball. He was always studying, learning, and trying new skills with his hands and never knew the meaning of boredom. He was a man content in his own skin, because he put his trust in Christ some 35 years ago, never lost his gratitude to God for the love of Christ, and desired the approval of the Lord over the fickle accolades of man.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jacqueline Pierce Updike (Jeannie), his daughter, Olivia Updike Clupny (Josh), his two precious grandchildren, Clara-Jane and Jack Clupny of Manitou Springs, Colorado, his son, James P. Updike, Jr. (Pat), of Starkville, his three sisters, Karen Updike Bogan (Jack), Barbara Updike Elias, (Wayne), Deborah Updike Feldman (Jay) and many nieces and nephews, in addition to his wife’s extended family, whom he loved as his own, and his faithful companion, his German Shepherd, Ziva.
Memorials in Jim’s honor may be given to Summit Ministries , P.O. Box 207, Manitou Springs, CO 80829.

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(662) 323-5905 | 201 West Lampkin St. | STARKVILLE, MS 39759 | Fax: (662) 323-5907 | Email: ninawelch45@gmail.com (662) 323-5905 | 201 West Lampkin St. | STARKVILLE, MS 39759 | Fax: (662) 323-5907 | Email: ninawelch45@gmail.com (662) 323-5905 | 201 West Lampkin St. | STARKVILLE, MS 39759 | Fax: (662) 323-5907 | Email: ninawelch45@gmail.com (662) 323-5905 | 201 West Lampkin St. | STARKVILLE, MS 39759 | Fax: (662) 323-5907 | Email: ninawelch45@gmail.com (662) 323-5905 | 201 West Lampkin St. | STARKVILLE, MS 39759 | Fax: (662) 323-5907 | Email: ninawelch45@gmail.com