Dec. 23, 1928 – Jan. 7, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for H. Michael Tatum Jr., 88, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.
Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Carmel, La., under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.
Mr. Tatum was born Dec. 23, 1928, in El Dorado, Ark., the son of H. M. Tatum Sr. and Clara Greenwood Tatum.
Mr. Tatum was a graduate of Southern Methodist University and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was retired from Callon Petroleum Company, where he was employed as vice president and corporate secretary.
He was a member of St. Mary Basilica, Knights of Columbus, American Society of Corporate Secretaries and Natchez-Adams County Humane Society. He also served as former treasurer for Natchez Festival of Music.
After retirement from Callon, he represented American Stock Transfer and Trust Company at public corporation shareholder meetings.
Mr. Tatum was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Beatrice Brashier Tatum.
Survivors include two sons, Louis M. Tatum of Natchez and David C. Tatum of Pacific Grove, Calif.; one daughter, Jeanne Tatum Sanchez of Wheat Ridge, Colo.; one granddaughter, Rebecca Tatum White of Monterey, Calif.; one grandson, Timothy M. Sanchez of Wheat Ridge; one great-granddaughter, Sylvie Joy White; one daughter-in-law, Sharon Hall Tatum of Pacific Grove; one brother; one sister; and a number of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
Pallbearers will be Peter Rinaldi, Bernie Pyron, Richard Branyan, Allen Whittington, Jay Meyers and Fred Callon.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Basilica or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.