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Obituary for Oliver Wendell Catchings, Jr.
Oliver Wendell "O.W." Catchings Jr, 80, of Jackson, MS, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his sons, in the care of Hospice Ministries on April 15, 2017. He is survived by his two sons, O. Wendell Catchings III (wife Mary Kay) of Jackson, MS; Royal H. Catchings Sr. of Jackson, MS; his grandson, Royal H. Catchings Jr. of Jackson, MS; and his sister Catherine Whetstone of Woodville, MS; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 50 years, Peggy Hood Catchings; and his mother and father, Fannie Kate & Oliver W. Catchings Sr. Oliver grew up in Woodville, MS where he graduated from Woodville High School, and moved on to graduate from Mississippi Southern College, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.  Having graduated from college he would go on to the Hartford Fire Insurance Co. School to train for a career in the insurance industry.  He would then move to Jackson, MS and meet his wife of nearly 50 years, Peggy, where they would raise their family and become members of Broadmoor Baptist Church, and First Baptist Jackson. He spent his professional life in the insurance industry starting with The Fireman's Fund, and then serving as  Vice-President and Secretary of Mutual Insurance Agency, and later retiring from Bryson Insurance Co. Through his life he was honored to be a part of, and serve with many organizations: Kappa Sigma fraternity (Epsilon Nu, House Manager). United States Army, Pi Sigma Epsilon. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (1976, Commander).  Mississippi Capitol Stock Insurance Association (President). Honorable Order of Blue Goose International (Deputy, Most Loyal Grand Gander MS & LA, Mississippi President).  Jackson Mutual Insurance Agents Association (President). Professional Insurance Agents Association (President).  Pioneer Insurance Club (President, Vice-President). Masonic Lodge. Oliver took great joy in serving at his children's school in the concession stand and all the activities that surrounded it, with his friends Bubba, Buddy, and Quaka. He also was dedicated too, and greatly enjoyed his "cardiac class" (aka: Bryan's Bunch) for many years at the YMCA (where he frustrated many a racquetball opponent), and later at Select Specialty. Growing up in Woodville, MS, Oliver developed a love of being outdoors.  He particularly enjoyed growing up fishing, frog gigging, squirrel, raccoon and duck hunting in the beautiful, natural, and historic surroundings, of Woodville, MS & Wilkinson County, with many friends and family.  He would for many years enjoy, boating, working outside, and continued fishing in Woodville, and his wife's beloved Hoodtown, MS.  It was time doing these activities that he most enjoyed sharing with his family, and a passion he would pass down to his sons. He will most be remembered for his love and dedication to his family. Only ever wanting to be surrounded by his family during holiday seasons, and always being dedicated to all their activities through out the years. The family would like to humbly and graciously offer thanks to all the caregivers that loved and cared for him, most recently, and through the years. Thank you to those at Hospice Ministries (Ridgeland, MS), St. Dominic's Hospital, The Blake at Township, Select Specialty Hospital, University Medical Center, VA Medical Center (G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery), and Mississippi Baptist Hospital.  Special thanks to Bryan Barksdale; his cardiologist of nearly 40 years, and all of his staff, for the love, care, dedication, and expertise that you gave to our dad. He left this world with a full and happy heart. Visitation for Oliver will be held on the evening of Tuesday April 18, 2017 in the chapel of First Baptist Jackson from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m., and then again the morning of Wednesday April 19, 2017 in the chapel of First Baptist Jackson at 9:00 a.m.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m., with burial to occur at the Pine Bluff Baptist church cemetery in Dentville, MS at 2:30 p.m. The Family would ask, that in lieu  of flowers, memorials be made to First Baptist Jackson. ( http://www.firstbaptistjackson.org/ ), The American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/Jackson/Mississippi/Home_UCM_GSA033_AffiliatePage.jsp ), or just spend a day with family, outdoors.
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