James Henry Leigh died peacefully on May 4, 2026 at the age of 74 in the presence of family. Jim was born in Midland, Texas on February 6, 1952 to Ethel Eppright Leigh Davis and John Marshall Leigh. He was mostly raised in Manor, Texas but graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Austin, Texas in 1970. As a young man, Jim was a pole vaulter and an avid surfer, even taking a summer job as a manager at a shrimp processing plant in south Texas to be closer to the ocean.

Jim continued his studies at the University of Texas at Austin, obtaining a BBA and an MBA while enjoying the great Austin live music scene of that era. After a very well-chosen blind date, Jim began a loving and devoted 49-year relationship with his future wife Jane, who was attracted to his quick-wit, compassionate nature, and willingness to listen. Their long journey together first took them to Ann Arbor, Michigan so that Jim could undertake a doctoral degree.

Jim obtained a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in May 1981 and then secured a faculty appointment at Texas A&M University, where he rose to the rank of Associate Professor of Marketing and taught for 28 years. He was also a founding editor of the Journal of Current Issues and Research in Advertising, the advisor of the Marketing PhD program for five years, and a consultant for the Texas Real Estate Center. His academic achievements were recognized with numerous awards from the American Academy of Advertising, the American Marketing Association, and the Association of Collegiate Marketing Educators.

Despite his professional commitments, Jim was careful to arrange his work schedule so that he was able to help raise his sons and spend time with his family. In his free time, Jim enjoyed coaching little league baseball, watching Aggie baseball and football, bass fishing, vegetable gardening, and listening to his vast and diverse music collection. He especially loved sharing these interests with his family members at every opportunity. Similar to other endeavors in his life, Jim approached the challenges of his declining years with optimism, courage, and kind consideration for others.

Jim is survived by his wife Jane, sons Dan and Robert, daughter-in-law Citlalli De Gyves Lopez, stepsister Linda Von Kreisler, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father John Marshall Leigh, mother Ethel Eppright Leigh Davis, stepfather John R. Davis, brother John Marshall Leigh Jr., Grandparents Charles C. and Iva J. Eppright, Aunt Margaret Eppright, Uncle Charles and Aunt Dorothy Eppright, Aunt Evelyn Kennedy, and many other beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.