James Morgan McArthur

James “Jimmy” Morgan McArthur, 75, passed peacefully on January 17, 2023, in Wilmington, North Carolina.  He lived his life to the fullest, always appreciative of the little things and special moments.

Jimmy was born in Meridian, Mississippi, on October 10, 1947.  He was the only child of the late James Thomas McArthur and Caroline Ressique Morgan. He attended Marion Park Elementary and Northwest Junior High.  After graduating from Meridian High School, he attended Meridian Junior College and later transferred to the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana), where he earned a degree in Economics.  He formed lifelong friendships with his Meridian school friends and with his brothers of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.  At USL, he became hooked on the Cajun lifestyle and was an honorary Ragin’ Cajun to the end.  While in college, he spent his summers working at Yellowstone National Park.  He always dreamed of taking Yvonne there to show her his old stomping grounds, which he did this past summer.

In 1971 Jimmy married Yvonne Baudoin, whom he met on a blind date at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and they enjoyed 51 wonderful years of marriage.  He was very involved in raising his family, coaching many soccer and baseball teams.

During his successful career with Gillette, Jimmy and his family lived in many different cities:  Dallas, Boston, Thousand Oaks, Cleveland and Boston again.  He forged many new friendships, yet he always carried his beloved South with him.

Travel was Jimmy and Yvonne’s hobby.  Yvonne would plan, and he would follow. He felt very fortunate to be able to see the world and experience other cultures, especially the food and wine.  His last adventure was a 75^th birthday trip to Kentucky to follow the Bourbon Trail.

Jimmy will be forever loved and missed by his wife, Yvonne, his daughter and son-in law, Heather and Jeff Hamilton, his grandchildren, Shane and Ella Hamilton, and his son, Ryan McArthur.

Jimmy was a true Southern gentleman.  Every single day, he strove to live by the motto, “Do the right thing”.  He was a friend to all and will be remembered for his sense of humor, his compassion for the less fortunate, his kindness to all, his grilling and bartending skills, and the stories of his adventures of growing up in Mississippi.