Jimmy Dean “Jim” Whitehead lived a life filled with music, laughter, stories, and an abiding love for his family. A gifted musician, singer, songwriter, and storyteller, Jim spent nearly six decades in the music business, but the roles he treasured most were those of husband, father, Grandaddy, brother, uncle, and friend.

Jim was the son of the late Rev. James Sidney “Sid” Whitehead and Ocene Lambert Whitehead. His father made sure all of his children took piano lessons so he would always have someone to play piano at church. Jim got his start there, beginning a lifelong relationship with music that took him far beyond the church piano.

Jim attended Booneville High School and Northeast Mississippi Community College, where he majored in music. There were few instruments that Jim could not master. From playing drums in his first band to the keyboard that became his primary instrument, if he could pick it up, chances were good that he could make music with it. His natural talent led to nearly 60 years in the music industry. He wrote songs and performed them. He also operated his own publishing company in Nashville, and recording studio in Tupelo, MS.

But Jim’s greatest joy came when his two greatest loves—music and family—collided. In his later years, few things brought him more happiness than sharing an impromptu performance with his family. He loved watching his grandchildren pick up an instrument, learn to play and discover the same love of music that had shaped his life. His talent and legacy will continue through them.

Over the years, Jim played and toured with some of the greats, including Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Ringo Starr, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Dobie Gray. He was also a prolific songwriter who wrote thousands of songs, and he was particularly proud to have cuts by country music greats Reba McEntire and Ronnie Milsap.

For several years, Jim entertained North Mississippi, both with his talent on the keyboard and with his antics, as part of WTVA’s Mornin’ Show with Buddy and Kay Bain. A practiced prankster, Jim was known to swipe magnets from the weather board and stick them to the back of his keyboard for viewers to see on camera.

Antics aside, Jim’s time onscreen held something special for his daughter Carly. He developed secret hand signals just for her, slipping them into the broadcast as a daily reminder that her daddy was thinking about her. It was a small gesture that said something much larger about Jim: no matter where he was or what he was doing, his family was never far from his mind.

A masterful storyteller, Jim had the rare ability to make people laugh without seeming to try, and he loved sharing humor with those around him. Throughout his lifetime, he created his own peculiar and comical vocabulary for ordinary things. Those words gradually worked their way into the family’s language, where they will remain—little pieces of Jim that will continue to bring laughter and memories for generations.

Born into a large, close-knit family, he treasured his family and he found countless ways to show it. To his nieces and nephews, he was the beloved “Bobo” who was just as likely to be found at the kids’ table as anywhere else, sneaking M&M’s to the “squirrels” or finding some new way to stir up fun. He might even crank your secret motorcycle in the living room and wake the entire house before Christmas morning.

Despite his years in the music business, Jim Whitehead’s legacy does not rest in the number of stages he played, miles he traveled, songs he wrote, or artists who recorded them. It lives in the people who loved him—in the stories they will continue to tell, the strange words they will continue to use, the songs they will continue to play, and the laughter that will inevitably come whenever someone says, “Do you remember when Jim…?”

There will always be another Jim story, and for the family who knew him as Daddy, Grandaddy, Bobo, brother, and husband, there will always be another song that brings him back for just a moment.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lanna Fennel Whitehead; his daughter, Carly Carman and her husband, Shane; his stepdaughter, Kristi Zampella and her husband, Chris; and his stepson, Jeff McEwen and his wife, Sherry.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alec Carman and his fiancé, Emilee; Curt Carman; Myli Cate Carman; Connor Chittam and his wife, Lauren; Natalie Chittam; Riley Carden, and her husband, Heath; and Kaley McEwen; his great-grandchildren, Parker Carman and Charlie Chittam; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his siblings, Betty Sims and her husband, Ken; Eloise McAnally and her husband, Jim; Ronnie Whitehead; and Lynn Stephens; his nephews, Tracy Whitehead and David McAnally; and his great-granddaughter, Kambree Carman.

In keeping with Jim’s wishes, there will be no traditional funeral service. Instead, family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, August 23, from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Champy’s in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

All of Jim’s former bandmates and musician friends are especially invited to bring their instruments, play a song, tell a story, and help celebrate a life that gave so much music and laughter to so many.

Jim didn’t want a funeral.

He wanted a party.

And a party he will get.