James Edward "Jim" Pilgreen

October 13, 1950 - August 29, 2022

Services for James Edward "Jim" Pilgreen will be held Thursday, September 1, 2022 3:00 PM at Carrollton Baptist Church in Carrollton, MS.

Mr. Pilgreen, age 71, died on Monday, August 29, 2022 at his residence.

He was born on October 13, 1950 in Clarksdale, MS, to the late T.K. Pilgreen and Doris Pilgreen and resided in Carroll County since 1991. He was a graduate of MDCC, where he played football, was named Mr. MDCC and was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2013. He then attended and graduated from Delta State University where he also played football and earned his Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology. He retired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service after serving 32 years as Special Agent 279. Jim was part of details throughout the United States and Canada working cases that involved animals from Manatee to Walrus, but his favorite was ducks. He loved telling anyone who would listen about the lengths he would go to catch an outlaw. He was one of the blessed to have a job that he truly loved and had a passion for. He was the best story-teller and a legend that others will tell stories about for years to come.

He was a member of the Carrollton Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He loved his church family with all his heart. He loved being involved and making sure everyone did everything right.  He took his role as lead goose very seriously. He is an adored husband and father and was the Godly example that any man should be. Some of his favorite things were his family, especially his grand-babies, his church, the outdoors, taking others hunting, baseball, Lego and a good dessert.  We find peace in knowing that he is resting in the arms of Jesus.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Martha Pilgreen. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Zona Russell Pilgreen of Carrollton, MS; two daughters, Meredith Blair (Michael) Russell of Pontotoc, MS, and Jessica (Kelvin) Rosata of McComb, MS; son, Jim Tom (Jacquelyn) Pilgreen of Flora, MS;  step son, Les Graves of Liberty, MS; sister, Nancy (Dave) Hergert of Scottsbluff, NE; nine grandchildren, Brayden Russell, Courtney Dunnam, Maci Russell, Jake Haygood , Jax Toler, Randi Toler, Stella James Pilgreen, Raylee Graves, and Kenzie Graves; great grandchild, Ava Leigh Dunnam; three special nephews, Matthew Hergert, Jon Hergert, and Bryan Adderholt; and his loving belgian malinois, Lego.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM with a service to follow at Carrollton Baptist Church in Carrollton. Rev. Ed McDaniel and Rev. Gary Roberson will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Brayden Russell, Jake Haygood, Jax Toler, Michael Russell, Kelvin Rosata, and Grant Crenshaw. Honorary Pallbearers will be his US Fish and Wildlife Special Agent friends.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, MS.

Memorials may be made to Carrollton Baptist Church or the American Diabetes Association.

Wilson and Knight Funeral Home is in charge.