J.T. loved a heated yet civil argument
MADISON — John Thomas Williamson, a beloved statewide talk radio host on SuperTalk Mississippi who truly loved his listeners and always welcomed a heated yet civil argument, died on July, 31, 2021, following a long battle with cancer. He was 52.
Williamson of Madison died peacefully at home after a hard-fought battle with lymphoma, his family said.
His funeral service is today (Aug. 5) at 11 a.m. at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison.
Williamson was best known as the longtime host of the “The J.T. Show” on SuperTalk. The show started as “The J.T. and Dave Show” in 2002.
Gerard Gibert of Ridgeland has been filling in for Williamson for about a year and a half.
“I have no doubt JT is perched behind a Heavenly mic, informing and entertaining God and his fellow angels,” Gilbert said.
Williamson was born on Sept. 5, 1968, in Jackson to the late Johnnie H. and Barbara Hills Williamson. He graduated from Wingfield High School in Jackson and then attended Mississippi State University where he married Janet Roebuck Williamson at the Chapel of Memories on Dec. 21, 1991.
“When faced with the diagnosis of cancer, J.T. was resilient. He never gave up and fought the disease until his last day,” his family wrote.
Williamson began his career as a radio personality and announcing football games in the 1980s as a volunteer at the MWUW radio station at the Mississippi University for Women. While living in Starkville, he worked and hosted at a number of radio stations before returning to Jackson.
“The entire SuperTalk Mississippi nation is deeply saddened at the loss of the long-time host of The JT Show,” Gibert said.
Williamson was also an announcer at Jackson Motor Speedway, program director at Z106, host of TraxTalk and program manager at SuperTalk.
“He truly loved his listeners and always welcomed a heated, yet civil, argument,” his family wrote.
Gibert said it has been his privilege to serve as guest host of the show for the past 18 months and on a full-time basis for the past six. He said it has given him first-hand experience with the following Williamson has cultivated.
“During this time,” Gibert said. “I have come to understand the strong bond forged between JT and his statewide audience. Each weekday for many years, JT connected with tens of thousands of Mississippians with passion and a distinctive style. He will be sorely missed and his legacy will endure forever.”
His hobbies included cars, hunting, cooking, grilling, classic rock music, Mississippi State sports and spending time with friends and family, usually by cooking a big meal, his family said.
Williamson was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison. He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Janet Roebuck Williamson, his two children J.T. Williamson Jr. of Birmingham, and Emily Lynn Williamson of Madison. He is also survived by his sister Mary Goodson of Long Beach.
In place of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation may be made to the J.T. Williamson Education Support Fund at the Palmer Home. P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703.
The family also asks anyone interested to consider donating blood and/or platelets to Mississippi Blood Services. Over the last 18 months, donations were instrumental in allowing J.T. more precious time on earth, according to his family.