James William Mabry was born February 16, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee to James L Mabry and Alice Mooney Mabry.  He was their only child.  He attended Messick High School in Memphis, TN where he was a prep stand out in football and track. Jim was voted Memphis Area High School football Player of the Year in 1961, and was heavily recruited throughout the southeast. He signed with Coach Frank Broyles and the University of Arkansas in 1962.

After college he returned to Memphis and married Diana Rae Baker of Memphis, Tennessee. They were married for 58 years. He began his work career at International Harvester in Memphis. Jim and Diana have three sons; Jim, Jeff, and Joe Mabry who were raised in Memphis and Nashville, TN. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman, and eventually retired to Heber Springs, AR and built a home on the Little Red River. He enjoyed many hours of trout fishing with friends and family. He spent the last three years of his life at Brookdale Chenal Heights in Little Rock.

He went to be with our Lord on January 5, 2026. Jim is survived by his three sons, and nine grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.