A true advocate for consumers and ethical businesses, Jim Stalls lost his hard-fought battle with metastatic melanoma in the Butterfly Wing of the Hospice of Baton Rouge on September 30, 2020. He was President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana from 1994 until his retirement in 2018.
Jim was highly recognizable because of his frequent radio and television appearances, offering consumer advice on fraudulent offers plaguing the area. Under his leadership, the BBB initiated the Douglas Manship, Sr. Torch Award for Ethics in Business in 2001, Shortly afterwards, he introduced the Amber Lousteau Memorial Scholarship for Baton Rouge area high school seniors.
He was born 11-28-1942 in Memphis, TN, to James E. Stalls, Sr and Louise Carson Stalls. He graduated from Memphis Catholic High School and received a BA degree from St. Bernard College, Cullman, AL. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years. Jim began his BBB career in Memphis, before accepting the presidency of the BBB of Delaware. He ran organization for 17 years, then came to Baton Rouge in 1994. He was an integral part of the national BBB system for 45 years.
Jim quickly became a caring member of the Baton Rouge community. He was past president of Sunrise Rotary Club, Board member and fundraising chairman of the Goodfellows Good Samaritans campaign to help needy children during the Christmas season. He served on the boards of Catholic Charities and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
A devout Catholic, Jim was an active parishioner at Our Lady of Mercy Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a reader for mass. He was a committed adorer at the Adoration Chapel, team chairman of St. Matthew’s Guild and served on the Finance Committee.
Jim leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 51 years, Julie Stalls, his beloved daughter Amy Linton, her husband Jeremy and their daughter Kathryn. He also leaves his brother, Robert Stalls of Memphis, three nephews, Michael, Chris and Steve Tennes, all of Charlotte, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ann Tennes. The family wishes to acknowledge the superior level of care he received from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and the Hospice of Baton Rouge.
Jim was an exceptional man. Always a kind and thoughtful leader. He served the BBB mission well throughout his long BBB career. I always enjoyed watching LSU football with him at the BBB Assembly. Geaux Tigers.
I will miss you, sweet cousin. You are surrounded with God’s love and peace now and forever. Much love and many prayers to Julie, Amy, Robert and family!
Jim was one of the kindest, most enjoyable man to chat with and always put me at ease. Thanks for the leadership for so many years my friend.
The BBB of Delaware was fortunate to have Jim’s leadership for almost 2 decades. We extend sincere condolences to Jim’s friends and family. And to Julie, we are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers.
Jim was a true southern gentleman. Always having a kind word for everyone. He’s truly missed in the BBB family. Our prayers for peace go out to his family and friends.
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On behalf of BBB of Metro New York our deepest condolences are extended to his family and friends. We were very fond of Jim and admired the time and talent he devoted to the BBB mission.
On behalf of BBB of Metro New York our deepest condolences are extended to his family and friend. We were very fond of Jim and admired the time and talent he devoted to the BBB mission.
Jim was a kind and thoughtful man who always looked at what he could do to help others….something we need more of today. It was an honor to get to know him as a BBB colleague and he and Julie are the best kind of people. In my thoughts Jim (and Stalls family) as we celebrate a life well done.
Jim will be missed. He was a wonderful gentleman
RIP Jim
Jim was an awesome cousin who I grew up admiring immensely. I was a kid when he was a teenager and I thought he and Robert were such cool dudes. He grew up to be a fine man and was still a cool dude. Will miss you.
My dear cousin. God welcomes Jr to Heaven. How happy is he now meeting his parents and all his relatives and friends from his life on this earth. With joy in his heart.
Don’t think of him as gone away his journey’s just begun, life holds so many facets, this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort, where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away.
And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched…for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.
By Ellen Brenneman
Much love and prayers.