James Obie Puckett, 84, of Iuka, Mississippi, died Friday, August 10, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Puckett was retired from the U. S. Marine Corps, where he served for twenty years. He also served for one year in the U. S. Army. He fought in the Korean War, and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Following retirement from the military, Mr. Puckett taught metal trades at Northeast Mississippi Junior College, and later at Holly Springs High School. He was of the Baptist faith; and was a Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Iuka Lodge #94 F&AM. Mr. Puckett was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking and crossword puzzles, and was a firearms enthusiast. Visitation is scheduled for 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Saturday, August 11, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 12, at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka, officiated by Rev. Ronnie Goodwin. Interment will follow in Harmony Cemetery with Military Honors and Masonic Rites. His fellow Masons and Patrick Hopkins will serve as Pallbearers. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with arrangements. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Puckett of Iuka, MS; one son, James H. Puckett and wife, Gena, of Mooreville, MS; one step-daughter, Leslie Brewer of Iuka, MS; one brother, Hershel Lee Puckett and wife, Aline, of Dayton, OH; one sister, Dorothy Vaughn of Huntsville, AL; four grandchildren, James M. Puckett, Patrick Hopkins, Alexis Speicher, and Harley Barrett; and one great-grandchild, Claire Razutis. He was preceded in death by a son, James O. Puckett, Jr.; an infant daughter; his parents, Claude and Edna Deaton Puckett; and two brothers, Hubert and Howard Puckett. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by phone at (800) 272-3900, or online at www.alz.org.
