Major James Kenneth Mixon, USAF RET, 87, of Holcomb, passed away Friday, March 17, 2023 at his residence.  Kenneth was born October 28, 1935 in Water Valley to the late Loren H. and Corrine Logan Mixon.  He was a 1954 graduate of John Rundle High School in Grenada.  Kenneth earned an Associate of Arts degree from Holmes Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Education from Delta State University and a Masters in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA.  He also engaged in additional studies at the University of Mississippi, Thomas Nelson Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi.  Kenneth enjoyed a long, successful career in public service.  He began his career as a teacher at Jones Road Junior High School in Grenada.  Shortly after, he joined the United States Air Force and attended officer training school where upon completion, he was commissioned as a 2 ^nd Lieutenant at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.  Kenneth served in a number of states and foreign countries and retired as a Major in 1981 with 24 years of service to our great country.  Following his retirement from the Air Force, Kenneth worked as a Program Director for Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, VA, worked for a local contractor in Grenada, served as Street Superintendent and Purchasing Director for the City of Grenada and served as Interim City Manager for the City of Grenada on two occasions.

Kenneth enjoyed learning and serving God and Country.  He was a former boy scout leader and in Grenada, he was active in "Keep Mississippi Beautiful" and "Christmas In April".  He was a member and officer with Grenada Lake Pacers, charter member of the Holcomb Lions Club and adopted a portion of Highway 35 for cleanup.  Kenneth was a faithful member of Sparta Methodist Church in Holcomb where he served as Trustee as well as in several other capacities.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at the Sparta Methodist Church near Holcomb.  Interment with military rites will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday evening at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the Sparta Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Julie Carroll Mixon; two sons, Kenny Mixon(Gina) of Virginia and Richard Mixon of Tennessee; daughter, Beth Perry Sammons(Carl) of Georgia; daughter-in-law, Vicky Perry Mitchell of Grenada; sister, Ann Mixon Collins(Jimmy Ray) of Grenada; brother, Gene Mixon of Holcomb; three granddaughters, Casey M. Mixon, Alexandra K. Perry and Caroline E. Perry; two grandsons, Brooks W. Sammons(Hannah) and Matthew Sammons; three great-grandchildren, Rhett Sammons, Emmett Sammons and Abby Marie Sammons.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Matthew Perry and sister-in-law, June Mixon.

Memorials may be directed to the Sparta Building Fund or Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 157, Holcomb, MS 38940 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.

Sanford Bennett, David Howell, Charlie Martin, Cliff Martin, Taylor Martin and Buddy Morrison will honor Kenneth by serving as pallbearers and carry him to rest in the Sparta Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).