James Truett Gullage
James Truett Gullage went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at EAMC. He was surrounded by his family.
Jim was born in Camp Hill, Alabama on September 13, 1937. He graduated from Camp Hill High School in 1955. Jim graduated from Auburn, University in two years and earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1960. He was commissioned by the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General Corp.
Jim met the love of his life and best friend, Judy Smith, while they were students at Camp Hill High School. They married in May 1960, and began a lifetime of adventure. After travelling the world, courtesy of the U.S. Army, Jim and Judy settled in Opelika in 1968.
Jim practiced law with the firm of Walker, Hill, Gullage, Adams, and Umbach before becoming a Lee County Circuit Judge in 1977. He served as Circuit Judge for 20 years. After retiring, Jim practiced with Mike Williams before establishing his own firm, Gullage and Tickal, with his son-in-law, Jeff Tickal. Jim remained in the U.S. Army Reserves, and retired with the rank of Colonel. He also taught night classes at Auburn University and Southern Union. Jim was a member of the Lion’s Club.
Throughout his life, Jim’s faith sustained him. Wherever he lived, he was an active member in a church. As a member of First Baptist Church of Opelika for 50 years, he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, trustee, and a member of various committees.
Jim loved to laugh, and he could remember a bad joke forever. He was a perpetual prankster, armchair philosopher, and “junk collector.” Jim loved nature and wildlife, including the large rat snake that lived in the woods around his house and who often came to visit when Jim was working outside. Jim loved lightning storms, autumn leaves, music, a good scary story, working in his woods, and cookies and milk. He had a wonderful sense of adventure that sometimes got him in trouble, but left him with many great stories to tell. Jim had a huge heart for people, and never turned away anyone asking for help. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jason David Gullage; his granddaughter, Lily Marie Gullage; his parents, James and Belle Gullage; and his sisters, Beulah Kathryn Stone (Frank) and Lillian Griffith (Leon).
He is survived by his adoring wife, Judy Gullage; his children, Lisa Gullage Gunter (Jeff), Lauri Gullage Tickal (Jeff), and Jared Gullage (Lacy); and his grandchildren, Mauri Tickal Crisler (Bradley), Jacob Tickal, Adam Tickal, Clayton Gunter, Cole Gunter, Julianna Gullage, and Naomi Gullage. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Meadows (Banks).
Visitation was Friday, February 2, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Opelika from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. His funeral service was 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Opelika. Dr. Jeff Meyers and Dr. Mike King officiated. Interment in Garden Hills Cemetery followed the service. Memorial contributions may be made to:
First Baptist Church Opelika, 301 South 8th Street, Opelika, 36801; or Samaritan’s Purse, Att: Donor Ministries, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.