Jimmy Talley, 66, a native of Beaumont, died at his home in Houston on Friday, September 2, 2005.
A sixth generation Texas, he was a descendent of John Bevil who settled in Texas in 1822. He was born March 12, 1939 to Zoe Bevil Talley and James A. Talley, Sr. Jimmy graduated from St. Stephens High School in Austin, Lamar University with BA in Government and from Texas A&M with an MA in Horticulture and Landscape Design.
After beginning his career with AETNA Life Insurance, Jimmy returned to school to prepare for a new Houston career in Landscape Design and Consulting in Horticulture. He was very well known for his extensive knowledge of botanical names and identifications and particularly with Orchids, Bulbs, Cacti and Succulents. Several of his papers on Orchids were included in The Orchid Society of America’s publications. Early in his landscape consulting career, Jimmy attended special classes in London in Landscape Design and Garden History. When he returned to Houston, he was much in demand as consultant to many landscapers. One of his greatest loves was presenting workshops to Houston garden clubs and working with both the GCA Florescence Major Flower Show and the GCH Bulb Mart. His specialties included passing committees and Flower Show Judges’ workshops.
In his later years, Jimmy became fascinated with Apple Computers and several graphics programs: Corel Draw and Corel Paint Shop. His expertise and creativity with these programs allowed him to develop procedures which rated several mentions in the User’s Guides for these programs. Once again, he returned to school at the University of Houston to take computer courses and soon became a lab instructor in the university program.
He worked with many teachers from Houston Independent School District and was then asked to consult on the development of the Houston Independent School District computer curriculum for elementary and middle school students. Jimmy retained his love of plants and computers to the end of his life.
Jimmy is survived by his mother, Zoe Bevil Talley; brother, John B. Talley; his beloved niece and nephews, Nichole and Jim Morrow of Brogue, Pennsylvania, Christopher and Laura Talley of Austin, Ian Talley of Oslo, Norway, and Nicholas Talley of Austin.
A memorial service will be 4:30 P. M. Friday, September 9, 2005 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering will follow in The Cloister at St. Mark’s following the memorial service.
Those desiring to do so, may make a contribution to St. Mark’s Garden Guild, 680 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to the organization of your choice.
