James Ronald Youngblood

James Ronald Youngblood, aka Ronald to family, Jim to friends, and Blood to all, born May 26, 1951, passed away Feb. 28, 2024 after a two year battle with metastatic colorectal cancer.  He was a graduate of Kingsbury High School 1969 where he was a member of the ROTC, alumnus of Memphis State University (1973) , and served in the US Air Force for two years. He was an original, founding member of the Memphis In May BBQ team Parrothead Porkers- a lively, motley crew of exuberant Jimmy Buffett fans whose loyalty to the late crooner was second only to their loyalty to each other and their decades long friendships.  In his passing, close friends and fellow Parrotheads reminisced that Blood was a "legend" and " one of a kind" known for his infectious smile and love of a good theme party, including his own "Bring your own pool, pool party," a poignant reminder that "If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane."   

Jim was a diehard Memphis Tiger fan and lifelong season ticket holder of Tiger basketball and football. He traveled extensively throughout his life to support his alma mater and bled blue. On the rare occurrence he swapped out his Tiger gear, it was to cheer on his Minnesota Vikings. Even in extreme sickness this past Christmas, he put on a smile and a purple and gold Vikings Santa Hat to watch his team at TJ Mulligans with his favorite niece. 

Ronald was the proud father of two children, James David Youngblood (Ashlee) of Somerville, TN and Dr. Jenny Youngblood of Beverly Hills, CA. In addition to his children, he leaves behind a beloved sister, Sherrie Mason of Orange Beach, AL, cherished niece and nephew, Kimberly Mason Love (Brian) of Bartlett, TN and Ben Mason (Tracy) of Elberta, AL, and two grand nephews, Tristan Davis and Sam Love. He is preceded in death by his parents, James Shields and Dorothy Youngblood, his brother Randy, and adored brother-in-law, Ben Mason.

Though I ran 'em away, they'd come back one day
 Still could manage to smile
 Just takes a while, just takes a while"

As a world traveler who firmly believed that, "changes in latitudes, (cause) changes in attitudes" Blood's favorite destinations included western Europe that blended his love of WWII history and craft beers. Though his illness prevented him from traveling in recent years as he would have liked, Blood's passing would surely best be summed up with, 

"Jimmy… some of its magic, and some of its tragic, but I had a good life all the way."  

May the parrots and the pirates call you home, and may JB welcome you with a Pabst Blue Ribbon at the gates.