James L. Boren Jr.'s Obituary
James Lewis Boren, Jr. was born to James Lewis Boren, Sr and Carolyn Duvall Moore Boren on September 15, 1928 in Portland, TN and died at Trezevant Manor in Memphis, TN November 15, 2023 at the age of 95.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Carolyn Prewitt Boren, his parents, and sister Carolyn Boren Higgins. He is survived by his daughter Dudley Boren Selinger, son-in-law Jonathan Paul Selinger, grandchildren Caroline Boren Selinger and Lucas Gregory Selinger as well as beloved nieces and nephews.
At the age of 14, he graduated from “Training School” and was named “Most Likely to Succeed” which set the tone for the rest of his life. He graduated Salutatorian from CBC in 1946 (now Christian Brothers High School), and received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Vanderbilt University, was a member of the Dean’s Council of Vanderbilt Law School, Order of the Coif, Founder’s Medalist, and Editor-in-Chief, Vanderbilt Law Review.
He joined Mid-South Title in Memphis in 1953 which was co-founded by his father. He was Chairman and CEO when acquired by Lawyer’s Title in 1978 and retired from Lawyer’s as Senior Vice President, Director and Member, Executive Management Team in 1994. Jim was past president of the American Land Title Association and the Tennessee Land Title Association where he developed lifelong friendships.
Professionally, Jim was a member of the Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He also served as Tennessee Advisory Trustee for the Title Industry PAC, as co-chairman of the Tennessee Insurance Commissioner’s Committee on Title Insurance, and as a member of the Executive Advisory Council for Memphis State University’s College of Business Administration.
His professional contributions are matched by his active role in community affairs to include being president of the Memphis Rotary Club and United Way of Greater Memphis and served as an officer or director of numerous civic, health, and education organizations.
The most important part of Jim’s life began in 1961 when he met and married the love of his life, Carolyn Martin Prewitt. They married in the Chapel at Second Presbyterian Church where they joined in 1964 and later the same year, their daughter Dudley was born. He was active at the church serving as Elder, President of Church Corporation, Church Realty Foundation Director, and co-founder of the Church Foundation.
He loved his grandchildren. He supported each one of their endeavors, from the time they were learning to walk to when they went to college and started their own professional careers. You could not walk more than two feet in his home without spotting a photo of them. In fact, his granddaughter once joked that he knew more about her life than she did herself. His grandchildren adored him as well and will miss him dearly.
The family would like to thank the staff at Trezevant Manor and all who have given so much to our family over the years. Specifically, the caregivers from Attendant Care Services: Michelle, Dee, Cici, Laura, and Georgia.
A private family burial has been held. Celebration of Life will be held in the chapel at Second Presbyterian Church on December 15th at 1 pm with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following charities: Second Presbyterian Church Foundation (www.2pc.org), The Trezevant Foundation (www.trezevantmanor.org/donate/) or JDRF International to support Type 1 Diabetes research (please mail check to 3369 Pine Ridge Road Suite 202 Naples, FL 34109 with Jim Boren in the memo).
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