Roll Call Tribute

James Duke Willborn 

November 29, 1934 - October 23, 2023 

James Duke Willborn, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away at home in his sleep on Monday, October 23, 2023.

Born November 29, 1934 in Texarkana, TX, he attended New London Elementary and High School where he played football, baseball and track in 1951, 52 and 53. He was Honorable Mention all-District Football as quarterback and recognized as Outstanding Senior in 1953, Class President and Salutatorian.

Jim attended Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, committed to the Air Force and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

After college, his first job was with the Humble Oil and Refining Company where he worked on a seismograph team in Southern Mississippi. In September 1957, he met Carla Mae Trigg, from Clara, Mississippi. They were married in March 1958.

Jimmie Duke, as his friends called him, fulfilled his military commitment by serving in the Air Force in New York, Florida, and Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1961 at the rank of Captain.

After meeting his military commitment, Jimmie Duke worked as an Engineer for Texas Instruments, NASA on the Gemini Space Program, attended Law School at SMU and University of Houston where he passed the Texas State Bar in 1966 and went to work for Ling-Temco-Vought, in Grand Prairie, TX as a Patent Attorney. In the 70’s, LTV split and formed E-Systems where Jimmie Duke rose to the position of Director of International Business, leading key business opportunities all over the world.

In the early 80’s, Jimmie Duke formed his own company, Intratech Corporation, where he was his own boss for the rest of his life.

Through 65 years of marriage, Jimmie Duke (Dad) is survived by his wife, Carla, his two sons James (Barbara) and Mark (Shelby), grandchildren Clay, Kyle, Mackenzie and Austin, great grandchildren Reese and Logan.

Jim was a force in life and will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations be made to either the Parkinson’s Foundation or to United Methodist Church in Clara, Mississippi.