James Brakebill, III

James "Jim" Henry Brakebill III of Pass Christian, MS was born on June 22nd, 1937 and passed on April 12th, 2021. He was the son of the late Lt. Col. James Henry Brakebill Jr. and Dorothy Lawhon Brakebill.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Mary Ayers Brakebill and her children William Flickinger III, Crystal Flickinger, Geordie (Melissa) Flickinger, and Tiana (Tracy) Marquez, all residents of MS; his first wife, Barbara Brakebill (MD) and their children Lisa Brakebill (NC), Scott (Katy) Brakebill (MD), and John (Beth) Brakebill (MD); grandchildren Phoebe Marquez, Liam Flickinger, Geordie Alexis Flickinger, JonViolet Flickinger, Kristy (Jake) Brakebill-Houck, Tim (Kaylyn) Brakebill, Amy Brakebill, and Holly Brakebill; great-grandchildren Benjamin Brakebill, Gracie Ann Brakebill, Annalise Houck, and Madilyn Houck; and three step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his loyal dog, Bear.

Jim was a man of high intelligence and great generosity. He was a veteran. He spent most of his career in the plastics industry, specifically in manufacturing and processing molded particle foam. Jim was an early innovator of EPS (expandable polystyrene) manufacturing in the 1960s and was instrumental in the early years of developing equipment, processes, and materials. Jim rose to become the senior Vice President of Operations of the largest particle foam manufacturing business in the world responsible for 38 manufacturing sites. Jim "retired" in 1999 and started a second career as a consultant improving the businesses of his EPS industry clients. Jim was a frequent speaker at industry conferences around the world, led teams of research scientists in private industry and at National Labs, and designed, built, and commissioned complete manufacturing plants.

Jim's greatest passion in his career was building people. Jim left a legacy of thousands of manufacturing and engineering associates he trained and taught. Jim mentored and coached most of the EPS industry's senior leaders. Many of Jim's friends, those he mentored, and those he coached remember Jim closing conversations with the sincere question "and how can I help you?" Jim Brakebill will be missed in the industry, but his legacy lives on in the many leaders he built.

Jim will always be missed by those who love him. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, is serving the family.