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Dr. James Rodney “Jim” Young, 83, of Bainbridge, passed away Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to ABAC Scholarship Foundation, 2802 Moore Highway, Tifton, GA 31793.

James Rodney Young was born July 10, 1939, in Ocilla, Ga. After high school, Jim was drafted and served in the United States Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He earned a PhD in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was an inaugural faculty member of Bainbridge Junior College in 1972 known by generations of students for the “blue book”.  Jim served as a CASA volunteer, a member of Bainbridge Kiwanis Club, and sponsor for Quiz Bowl. He was named “Decatur County Man of the Year” but found himself most esteemed by the “old farts” who fried fish on Wednesday nights.

Jim was highly opinionated and didn’t mind a good debate. History was his gig, and he enjoyed relating random information to today’s world. He was never still and spent hours working in his yard. Jim was well-read, always up for a fishing trip, and probably had more knowledge of firearms than Smith & Wesson. He even went as far as smelting his own bullets and reloading ammunition.

Survivors include his children, Jamie Young of Bainbridge and Jenny & Ridge Harper of Tifton; his grandchildren, Shelby, Coby-James, Bay, Charlee, and Sembler; and his siblings, Norma Young of Gladgow, KY and Glenn Young of Darien, GA. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marion Sadler Young; and his daughter, Dr. Kristen Young.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)