On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Louis Max James, known as "Max," left his earthly tent to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the age of 90. He passed peacefully at Jasper General Hospital in Bay Springs, Mississippi, surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Max was born on September 30, 1934, in Gibsland, Louisiana, and raised in Haynesville, Louisiana. He graduated from Haynesville High School in 1953, where he was chosen "Mr. Tornado" his senior year, partly because Max excelled as an offensive tackle, back in the days when football helmets didn't have face masks. He often liked to remind people that "you had to be a man to swap forearms in the face all night on the line."  It may have seemed unlikely during his elementary days that he would play offensive tackle since he then required supplemental nutrition in the form of peanut butter sandwiches to gain weight.

Following high school, Max attended Louisiana State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geology in 1957. While at LSU, he joined the Air Force ROTC with dreams of becoming a pilot, but those plans changed when it was discovered he had limited vision in one eye.

After college, Max began what would become a long and successful career in oil and gas exploration and production. He started at Jett Drilling Company, paying his early dues with hard work — including doing some "roughnecking" on offshore platforms. He often told stories about trying to time his step off a rocking crew boat onto a swinging net being hoisted up to the platform during high seas.

Max spent 18 years with Dresser Atlas, Inc., where he became a respected senior log analyst known for his technical skill and a valued salesman, using his natural gift for connecting with people. In 1977, he joined Marion Oil Corporation in Daphne, Alabama, where he worked as a geologist and petrophysicist for six years. He later became a partner in two firms before founding Gulf Coast Exploration Company in Laurel, Mississippi, where he continued his pursuit of excellence and integrity in his field.

In the early 1990s, when oil prices fell to around $10 a barrel, Max made the difficult decision to close Gulf Coast Exploration and retire from day-to-day operations. However, "retirement" didn't keep him still for long — he continued consulting, spending countless hours leaning over his light table analyzing and interpreting well logs. Among his proudest professional accomplishments were his discoveries and development of Verba Field in Jasper County and Otho Field in Scott County, Mississippi, and working alongside Mr. M. E. "Bud" Norman.

Later in life, Max also served as an inspector for water line projects, a role he took as much for the people as for the work itself. A natural conversationalist, he especially enjoyed visiting with property owners — even those who weren't thrilled about new water lines crossing their land.  Members of the Stringer Water Association crew visited Max and talked to him the day he died, a great comfort to the family and statement to the influence Max offered to those who worked with him and knew him as friend.

Max loved deeply and laughed often. He was a true people-person, a gifted storyteller, and someone who could make you believe even his tallest tales — mostly because they just might have been true!

His hobbies reflected his tender heart and love for God's creation. He raised chow-chows for many years before switching to more "manageable" companions, especially his beloved golden retriever Mac — who, in a remarkable twist of God's timing, shared the same birthdate as Max's homegoing, August 19. He also cherished his final canine friend, a hound mix named Bob, who had to be laid to rest just weeks before Max's death. In his final days, Max continued asking about Bob's well-being and even insisted he saw Bob in the room with him. He also enjoyed riding his four-wheeler around his property in Jasper County, often stopping just to take in the quiet beauty of the land.

Most importantly, Max loved Jesus Christ and boldly lived out his faith. At the age of 14, while sitting in the balcony during a revival service at his home church in Haynesville, Louisiana, the Holy Spirit called him. Max trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior that night, beginning a lifelong walk with the Lord that shaped his character and guided his steps.  Acutely aware of his personal shortcomings, especially in early adult life, Max relied solely on the Lord's grace and the merit of Christ to find acceptance by God.

Max was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Bay Springs, Mississippi, where he sang in the choir, served on various committees, and faithfully exercised his spiritual gift of encouragement. Whether counseling friends in his pasture, speaking quiet, hopeful words to one, or spinning an entertaining yarn for a group, Max had a way of touching hearts. In his later years, he often expressed his deep love for the people of First Baptist, counting it one of his greatest blessings to worship alongside them when his frailty allowed.  He also served with the Gideons International Ministry, promoting God's Word to be shared with others.

Max is survived by his loving wife of nearly 37 years, Sue James; his children Sharilyn Schattgen (Mike), Susie Wilson, Sonya Windham (Dwayne), and Paul Spurlin (Julie); 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a niece and nephew.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clawson James; his mother, Louise James; his sister, Mary Nell Childs; his brother, Robert "Bud" James; his daughter, Peggy Ann James; and his son-in-law, Hansel "Winky" Wilson.

Services to celebrate Max's life and eternal homegoing will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Bay Springs, Mississippi. Visitation begins at 11:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 PM. Burial will take place at Montrose Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Rev. James Sprayberry, Max's longtime pastor of more than 35 years, alongside his son, Dr. Paul Spurlin.  Colonial Chapel of Bay Springs is overseeing arrangements.