James Privett

James W. Privett (Jim) of Jasper, MO (57) died on March 28, 2017 of stage 4 esophageal cancer at Iowa City University Hospital at 7:38 A.M. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Dolores (Dee) and son, Julian. He is also survived by his parents, Melvin Dale and Mebyl, his 3 brothers and their wives -- Francis Melvin and Vickie; Jonathan and Sharon; Curtis Lynn and Camille -- and his sister Patricia and her husband Jim. The nieces and nephews are Melvin Jacob, Ashley, Curtis Lynn II, Becca, Nancy and Jessie. Jim was born in St. Louis, MO but grew up in Ellsinore, MO. The family remained there until his freshman year, then moved to Poplar Bluff, MO where Jim graduated in 1977. He was accepted to Columbia University in New York, completed his course of study in 1983 with a BA, focus in English and Physics. Immediately after graduation he joined Lois Pitts Gerson (LPG) in New York City, and in just a short 7 years ascended to Vice President, Associated Media Director. Here he was hands on, an integral part of the launch of MTV, VH-1, Nickelodeon, USA Today and USA Weekend. It was at LPG where Jim met his wife to be, Dee. In 1990 Jim and Dee left LPG to start up their own advertising agency in New York City, j/dp Concepts, Inc., a very successful company for 5 years specializing in media research and planning, print design, digital pre-press and production. Advertising and Marketing positions took him from New York, to Baltimore, Maryland, San Francisco and to Joplin, MO. It was while back in Missouri that he started substitute teaching and discovered that teaching would be the most rewarding career move of his life. He enrolled at Pittsburg State University’s (Kansas) Education Master’s Program, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, all the while teaching at Lamar High School (Lamar, MO). Jim was very proud of his son and his accomplishments in music and other areas of interest. He was the type of father that stood out of Julian’s way and let Julian follow his heart and his own vision. They enjoyed long conversations about philosophy, politics and of course, literature from even a very young age. It came so naturally for Jim to engage him and never tired of giving his all. Jim’s love for his wife was undying and remained steadfast throughout their 30-year union. Jim was a quiet man of strong character, who was revered by his students, respected and admired by his fellow teachers, administration and staff, and loved and cherished by his family. He told his son and wife on many occasions, “I stayed for the kids.” Teaching was a force that drove him like no other. His desire to see his students succeed motivated all of the tools in his arsenal to inspire, create and evoke curiosity and interest for the world of English literature and beyond. He imparted knowledge and challenged his students with a new perspective, one that by their own tributes, will guide them throughout their lives.