Jim Leist, 54, of Hattiesburg, Miss., died May 21, 2014, at Wesley Medical Center. Memorial services were at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2014, at Heritage United Methodist Church.
Jim spent 32 years with Weyerhaeuser Company. Prior to his death, he served in the role of Director of Marketing for Southern Timberlands. Prior positions included Timberlands Manager for Mississippi-Louisiana region, Southern Timberlands Harvesting Functional Leader, and Mississippi-Alabama Regional Harvesting Manager. His responsibilities spanned the southeast from Oklahoma to Alabama. Jim excelled in his special assignments and projects. Some of these diverse assignments included developing Cross-Region geographic plans, serving on Hurricane Recovery Task forces, and working on Biomass projects. Jim was an innovator, and his work led to two patents held by Weyerhaeuser for a Biomass Harvesting head and the Mobile Biomass Baler.
Jim’s big heart and concern for others led to several honors, including the Weyerhaeuser President’s Award for contractor safety development. Everywhere Jim went, he was a mentor to others, and his love of learning led him to become a Crown Financial Ministries leader, and a Certified Covey Facilitator. The boards and associations on which he served included the Weyerhaeuser PAC Board, the Auburn University Forestry School Advisory Board and several forestry associations. Jim was a registered forester for the states of Oklahoma, Mississippi and Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 1982 with a degree in Forest Engineering. He was a member of Heritage United Methodist Church of Hattiesburg, and the United Methodist Men of Columbus, Miss. His hobbies included: fishing, hunting, motorcycle riding, barbecuing and telling stories that brought joy to his countless friends.
Jim was a great husband, father, son, brother, uncle, co-worker and friend. He showed by example how to live life to the fullest. He spread love and joy everywhere he went. There are countless people suffering this loss but especially his family who basked in the light of his love every single day.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Corlea Leist.
He is survived by his wife, Cherie Leist, of Hattiesburg; one daughter, Kayla (Chase) Labrato, of Mobile, Ala; one son, Joseph Leist, of Hattiesburg; his father, George Leist, of Lawrenceville, Ga; his sister, Jolene Leist (David) Taylor, of Lawrenceville, Ga.; six nieces and one nephew.
