James B. Plunkett's Obituary
James Benjamin Plunkett, age 64, departed this earthly realm on October 24, 2019. Cremation was performed by Memorial Park, Memphis. There will be a Memorial Service (Rev. Jay Bruno, presiding) on Saturday, December 7 at 2pm celebrating his life at the Church-in-the-Woods, Camp Mitchell atop Petit Jean Mountain, AR—followed by a Reception in Hoke Lodge. His ashes will be spread in the new Memorial Garden next to the church at Camp Mitchell and a plaque will be installed.Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Louvenia Harris Plunkett, and sister, Jane Plunkett. He was followed shortly thereafter by his father, Rev. Phillip Riley Plunkett.Jim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Catherine Ollar Plunkett (Memphis), daughter Jessica Erin Plunkett, grandson Benjamin Plunkett, sister Martha Ruth Plunkett (David) Shinley, foster brother Rev. Jim Benbrook, niece Mary Katherine Shinley (Matt) Criswell, stepmother JoAnn (Hathorn) Plunkett, great niece Matilda Criswell (Little Rock), and goddaughters Eileen Davis (Sherwood, AR) and Nancy Buck (Seward, AL).Jim attended Stuttgart High and graduated from Hazen High in 1974. He began a degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and completed an Associate’s Degree in Computer Technology at Memphis Southwest College of Technology (1992). His career included being a camp counselor at Camp Mitchell, an athletic trainer in school, an EMT, a draftsman for the Arkansas Highway Department, and IT help desk support at UALR, University of Memphis, and Stream Inc. Memphis. A lifelong Episcopalian, some of Jim’s fondest memories were of his days as a camp counselor at Camp Mitchell where he will be interred. It was there that he met his best friend Jay Bruno and his godchildren. This is also where he later met his wife Cathy at an event held for the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Cathy and Jim married in 1981 and moved to Little Rock where their daughter Erin was born in 1982. They moved to Memphis in 1989 and have lived there since.Jim always had a strong interest in theology, history, literature, music, and national and world politics, with a passionate opinion on civil rights and global issues. He was an avid reader of mysteries, fantasy, and history. Jim was also a movie/TV and trivia buff and thoroughly enjoyed sharing his knowledge with family and friends.He loved music and some of his favorite musicians were Credence Clearwater Revival and Guy Clark. Among his many interests, he was also fascinated with knife-making, woodcarving, and medieval and WWII history.Jim will be remembered as an intelligent, thoughtful, gentle, and loving man who loved and cared for people and animals.Jim made a gift of life donation to the Mid-South Transplant Foundation benefiting over 250 people. Please consider a future gift such as this in your will. He also donated a new pair of crutches and a walker to his surgeons at OrthoSouth (Memphis) to benefit young athletes in need, as he was an athletics trainer in high school and college.
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