James Franklin “Jim” Hill, a true gentleman and scholar, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, in Valdosta, Georgia at the age of 89, following a stroke. He was surrounded with love by his wife, Whidden and his daughter, Rachel.

Jim’s life began on February 12, 1937, in Cleburne, Texas, the son of Eulalia Dabbs and James William Hill. He spent his childhood and teenage years in the Fort Worth area with his parents and three sisters, Laela, Sue Ann, and Donna, who fondly called him “Jimmy”. From an early age he developed a love of baseball, pitching on teams coached by his father, including at the semi-professional level, and later as an undergraduate at Southern Methodist University. During his time at SMU, he was a proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity, a brotherhood he later shared with his grandson.

Jim completed his Master’s degree in Philosophy at the University of Chicago before moving to New York City, where he worked with at-risk youth at the YMCA. While there, he pursued an interest in acting and performed in an off-Broadway production of Death of a Salesman. He later earned his Ph.D. at the University of Georgia, where he married Katherine Omelanuk. They welcomed their daughter, Rachel Leslie, during his first teaching appointment in Newberry, SC, where he also served as Director of Camp Gravatt in the summer.

In 1972, Jim joined the faculty at Valdosta State University and taught philosophy and ethics for 35 years. A gifted and dedicated educator, he taught courses in all areas of philosophy, as well as medical, environmental, and business ethics. During his career he led the Honors Program at VSU and taught courses at Moody Air Force Base, Kings Bay Naval Base and in Syktyvkar, Russia. He loved writing and presenting papers, co-authored a book on environmental ethics, and was widely published in his field. Jim’s impact on his students was profound and lasting; he received numerous awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching and maintained close relationships with many of his students throughout his life.

Jim grew up in the Methodist church and as a teenager considered the ordained ministry. He was committed to his faith and strongly motivated by Christ’s call to serve the poor, the sick, and the needy. A passionate believer in civil rights, Jim was instrumental in the Mary Turner memorial project and marched for racial justice with Pastor Floyd Rose. He was an active member of both Presbyterian and Episcopal churches in Quitman and Valdosta.

A man of wide-ranging interests, Jim loved the outdoors—camping, hiking, fishing, and traveling in his Volkswagen camper. His favorite places included Big Bend National Park, the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas, the Okefenokee Swamp, and Reed Bingham State Park. He loved horses throughout his life and fondly remembered his horse, Commander. While baseball was his first passion, he also enjoyed football, tennis, and, later in life, a competitive game of cornhole.

Jim had a lifelong love of learning and conversation. He relished spirited discussions on philosophy, science, politics, and current events, and he was an avid reader who always had a book at hand. He loved music of all kinds, especially bluegrass and country, and was particularly fond of artists like George Jones and Kris Kristofferson. He enjoyed dancing the Texas two-step, attending local gatherings like the Hahira Pick-In, and sharing good food and good company.

Known for his humor, warmth, and unmistakable Texas accent, Jim was rarely seen without his signature professorial blazer, a collection of pens, reading glasses, and a well-loved hat—often a baseball cap. He lived in Valdosta for 54 years, though in his heart he always remained a Texan. Above all, he cherished his family and friends. They were the center of his life and his greatest source of pride and joy.

Jim shared nearly 40 years of marriage with Marie Stokes Hill until her passing in 2024. Together they built a loving, blended family with their children Patti, Michelle, Rachel, and Brady. Jim and Marie loved spending time with family and friends and shared an enjoyment of teaching, travel, humor, literature, and the cultural arts. They also had three faithful canine companions, Buck, Pappy and Scarlett.

In the last year of his life, Jim met Anne Whidden Young at Langdale Place in Valdosta and they were married on October 22, 2025. Their relationship was filled with love, companionship, joy, and deep affection. Even though Jim and Whidden did not have nearly enough time together, they shared many wonderful months dining out, watching sports, going to movies, evening walks, and joyful gatherings with Pope and Evelyn and their family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Anne Whidden Hill; his children and stepchildren: Rachel Hill Freytag (Richard) and their children, Henry and Catherine; Patricia Harrison Carr (Dan) and their children, Colleen (Liz) and Kyle (Jessica); Laura Michelle Harrison and her children, Dylan and Hannah (Eric), and their daughter, Eleanor; William Brady Harrison (Heather) and their children, Victor and Cecilia; William Pope Langdale III (Evelyn) and their children, Lanier, Isabel, and William.

Jim is also survived by his sisters Donna Crawford and Sue Ann Carlisle, sister-in-law Laura Stokes; as well as nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Marie Stokes Hill, his sister Laela Vinsant, and his nephew William Crawford (Christa).

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of South Georgia Medical Center and Southwell Rehabilitation for their compassionate care. They are deeply thankful for the incredible administrators, nurses, staff, and residents of Langdale Place, where Jim lived in a warm and loving community for eight years.

In lieu of flowers, Jim would be honored to have donations in his name made to non-profit organizations that support his values, such as the VSU Foundation (for student scholarships), Racial Justice Georgia, Langdale Place, Langdale Hospice, and the Children’s Imagination Station in Valdosta.

A memorial service for family, friends, and the community will be held on Saturday, June 20, at 2pm, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1521 North Patterson Street, Valdosta.