Fallen Hero: Brig Gen James “Jeep” A. Peden, Jr. (Ret.)

Ridgeland, MS

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Funeral Home

Parkway Funeral Home

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Obituary

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ridgeland-ms/james-peden-11418456

We are deeply saddened to learn today of Jeep Peden’s passing. Pasted below is the entirety of information listed on the obituary page. We are working now for additional information. The September 30 memorial date is correct. Outstanding attorney and Service member and even better human being.

James A. Peden, Jr., known as “Jeep” to his many friends, clients and acquaintances, passed to the next life at The Orchard retirement community in Ridgeland, Mississippi on August 23, 2023. Jeep was born on April 24, 1944, in Gainesville, Florida to the late Frances Wilson Peden and the late James Alton Peden while his father was serving in North Africa during World War II. Jeep is survived by his brother, Derryl Peden (Sue), of Madison, Mississippi and his sister, Pamela Bond (Brent) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as well as two nieces and four nephews.

Spending most of his life in the Jackson, Mississippi area, Jeep graduated from Provine High School in 1962 before attending the University of Mississippi on a Carrier Scholarship. He also was a National Merit Scholar and a member of the University Scholars. In addition, he won Taylor Medals in political science and Latin. A member and officer of the Beta Theta Pi social fraternity and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, he graduated summa cum laude in 1966 before spending a year in post graduate work in England as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Bristol. Returning to the US he enrolled in the University of Mississippi School of Law where he was a Ford Foundation Law Fellow and served on the editorial board of the Mississippi Law Journal.

After finishing law school Jeep joined a local law firm, Stennett, Wilkinson & Ward (later, Stennett, Wilkinson & Peden) where he spent his professional career. He specialized in zoning and land use law and was instrumental in the development of numerous major real estate projects throughout the Greater Jackson area.

Active in civic, governmental and professional affairs. Jeep served as president of The Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar, chairman of the Mississippi Law Institute, a member of the Board of Bar Commissioners and an adjunct professor at the Mississippi College School of Law, eventually endowing the Stennett, Wilkinson & Peden Scholarship at his law school alma mater, as well as a fund at his Beta Theta Pi fraternity, serving as an advisor. With a lifelong interest in politics and government, he worked as an undergraduate intern in the office of US Senator John Stennis and served as staff assistant to then Lieutenant Governor William Winter and as Parliamentarian/Reading Clerk for the Mississippi State Senate. He served as president of the Millsaps Arts and Lecture Series and received the Mississippi Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.

Jeep served in the Mississippi Air National Guard for 31 years. He was staff judge advocate for both the 172nd Airlift Wing and the Air National Guard State Headquarter. A graduate of the Air War College, he was named by the National Guard Bureau as the Nation’s Outstanding Air National Guard Judge Advocate. Having been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and National Guard Minuteman Award, Jeep was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General upon his retirement from the National Guard.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM on September 30, 2023, at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland, Mississippi. The service will be preceded by a visitation time for friends and family beginning at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts in Jeep’s name to the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.parkwayfuneralhomeridgeland.com for the Peden family.