Background
Gurney, James Thomas was born on January 24, 1901 in Ripley, Mississippi, United States. Son of James Andrew and Mary Jane (Shepherd) Gurney.
Gurney, James Thomas was born on January 24, 1901 in Ripley, Mississippi, United States. Son of James Andrew and Mary Jane (Shepherd) Gurney.
AB, Mississippi College, 1919. Doctor of Laws, Mississippi College, 1972. Student, University Chicago, 1920.
Student, Columbia University, 1919. Bachelor of Laws, Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, 1922. Juris Doctor, Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, 1968.
Doctor of Laws, Stetson University, 1970. Doctor of Hebrew Literature, University Florida, 1978.
Member faculty, Mississippi Woman's College, Hattiesburg, 1919-1921; and since practiced in, Orlando original counsel, Minute Maid Corporation (division Coca- Cola Company) general counsel, Orlando Utilities Commission, 1925-1985; director emeritus, Beneficial Corporation member, Florida Supreme Court committee for redrafting common law rules of procedure, 1945; member examining board, Florida Parole Commission, 1945; Chairman of the Board control, Florida Institutions of Higher Learning, 1945-1949; board regents, Florida Institutions of Higher Learning.
Trustee New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1960-1967. Former board directors Children's Home Society of Florida. Member Florida Council of 100.
Sponsor for establishment J. Thomas Gurney Elementary School of 1st Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida. Fellow American Bar Foundation, American College Trial Lawyers. Member American Bar Association (committee on life insurance law, vice chairman 1944-1947, admissions 1944-1948, ssn. and advisory special committee on public relations 1944-1946, administrative law 1945, chairman Florida membership committee on insurance section 1946-1948), Florida State Bar Association (president 1942-1943), Orange County Bar Association, American Life Convention (legal section), Association of Life Insurance Counsel (executive committee 1946-1948), Orange County Budget Commission (chairman 1935-1942), Orlando Community Chest (general chairman), Orlando Chamber of Commerce (president 1930, national council 1940-1941, J. Thomas Gurney, Senior annual leadership award 1984), Florida Blue Key (honorary), Newcomen Society, Alumni Association University Florida (honorary), Lions Club (district governor 35th district Orlando, 1928, University Club (Orlando), Orlando Country Club, Rotary (Orlando) (Paul Harris fellow).
Clubs: Lions (Orlando) (district governor 35th district 1928), University (Orlando), Orlando Country (Orlando), Rotary (Paul Harris fellow) (Orlando).
Married Blanche Johnson, March 5, 1925 (deceased). 1 son, J. Thomas; married Lannie W. Jones, January 8, 1985.