Today's Featured Biography

 
James Bemis

I was born in Laurel but my father was in the Air Force and was stationed on the west coast when I was a year old. I spent my childhood in California and Washington State. When he retired, we moved back to Mississippi just before my junior year of high school. I was sort of a fish out of water until I found the Thespian club. I have many fond memories there.
After high school, I attended and graduated from, Jones County Junior College (JCJC). While there, I worked for the local news paper, the Laurel Leader Call, in their circulation department.
I attended the University Southern Mississippi and then I decided to take a semester off. While out of school, I was notified to report for a physical to be drafted into the Army. Due to a stomach ulcer they sent me home. I then volunteered for the Air Force. I became an electronics technician and was stationed at Cape Canaveral Florida. This allowed me the opportunity to see and participate in the space program up close.
When the program I was attached to was complete, I was transferred to Albuquerque, New Mexico. There I worked various projects developing new weapons for aircraft. It was extremely interesting work. During this time I was single and enjoyed various interests such as sports cars, sailboats and building dune buggies.
I gave all that up when I met Mary Jane Conway, now my wife of 36 years. We have two boys; one is an accountant and the other a teacher. There are no grand children and no plans for any.
I left the air force in 1978 and with encouragement from Mary Jane, I went back to school and obtained a bachelors degree in business from the University of Albuquerque. In 1980 we moved to the Dallas area for jobs. I was hired by the Federal Government as a contracting officer. My territory was all of New Mexico and half of Texas. I retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2000.
We enjoy spending summers in Albuquerque and winters in Texas.

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