Obituary for Dr. James Harrell Burnham Sr.

Dr. James Harrell Burnham “Jim”, 76, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026 at UF Health N in Jacksonville, Florida.

A native of Eastman, Georgia, he was a son of the late Roy and Margaret (Harrell) Burnham. He was preceded in death by his brother Walter Burnham; a niece Delane Mullis and a brother-in-law George Acker.

He is survived by his wife Nancie (Caudill) Burnham of Yulee, Florida; sons, Josh Burnham (Shannon) of Brooklet, Georgia; James Burnham (Steffi) of Richmond, England; sister Kathy Acker of Jacksonville, Florida; sisters and brothers in-law Loucenia Pritchett of Eastman, Georgia, Bo Poland (Penny) of Yulee, Florida, Allan Poland (Mary Alice) of Yulee, Florida; grandchildren: Noah Burnham and Ansley Burnham of Brooklet, Georgia; Wendy Masterson (Alex) of Syracuse, New York; Sammy Artiga (Lewin) of Charlestown, West Virginia; and Lexi Spikes of Nashville, Tennessee; great-grandchildren Lydia Artiga, Azlan Artiga, and Braxton Spikes; niece Diana Johnson (Paul) of Eastman, Georgia; aunt Jerry Harrell of Rhine, Georgia and numerous cousins.

Dr. Burnham graduated from Dodge County High School, Middle Georgia College, and later attended Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, Iowa. He graduated from Life College in Marietta, Georgia. In 1977, he moved to St. Mary’s, Georgia and established St. Mary’s Chiropractic Clinic in 1978. He was a member of the St. Mary’s Methodist Church, where he was active in Sunday School and served in the church in several capacities. He most recently attended Callahan Baptist Church and participated in the Iron-Sharpens-Iron men’s Bible Study group. Dr. Burnham was an active member and former chairman of the Camden County Republican Party and in 1992 was the Republican nominee for Camden County’s seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. He served several terms as Chair of the First Congressional District of the Georgia Republican Party and served for over two decades on the State Committee of the Georgia Republican Party. In 1997, he was elected statewide serving as 2nd Vice-Chair of the Georgia Republican Party. Dr. Burnham was an active member and officer of the St. Mary’s Fraternal Order of Eagles #4379. He served the Grand Aerie in numerous roles on the local, state, and international levels, including Georgia State President, Inside Guard, Grand Worthy Conductor, and was a Grand Representative for the Georgia State Aerie. He was selected to the FOE Georgia State Hall of Fame in 2011.

Visitation will be held on Saturday July 25, 2026 at 10:00-11:00 a.m. and service starting at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Methodist Church, 106 Conyers St. E, St. Mary’s, GA 31558. A second visitation, Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, 206 5th Avenue, Eastman, GA 31023. Burial will be held at 4:00 p.m. in Woodlawn Cemetery, Eastman, Georgia.

Allison memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home assisted the family locally.