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James Edward “Chip” Fails, Jr.

James Edward “Chip” Fails, Jr., age 68, a lifelong resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on September 8, 2026.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2026, at Glover Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 p.m., prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Wiregrass Humane Society, 255 Jerry Drive, Dothan, AL 36303, or Wiregrass Pets Rescue and Adoption Center, 2638 Hartford Highway, Dothan, AL 36305.

Chip was born to the late Ed and Peggy Fails and spent his life in the Dothan community. He was a hardworking man who, throughout the years, worked at Sony and B&B Hydraulics.

More recently, Chip found a special kind of happiness working at Mid-City Farm Market. He truly enjoyed the work, but even more than that, he enjoyed the people. He loved meeting new faces, visiting with customers, and simply being part of the Mid-City family. His family would like to extend a special thank-you to Jay Marchman for giving Chip an opportunity that brought so much joy to his life. Seeing Chip happy, smiling, and enjoying the people around him meant more to his family than words can express.

Chip was an outdoorsman at heart. He loved hunting, fishing, grilling, animals, and spending time in the woods. He often said the woods were his church, and there were few places where he felt more at home. He was most comfortable in a pair of overalls, enjoying the simple things in life.

Chip was a quiet man, but when he spoke, people listened. He could also be incredibly stubborn, and those who knew and loved him knew there wasn’t much chance of winning an argument with him once his mind was made up. Beneath that tough exterior, however, was a softer side that those closest to him were blessed to know. Chip wasn’t always a man of many words when it came to expressing his love. Instead, he showed it through the little things—the things he did, the lessons he taught, the conversations he shared, and simply being there when his family needed him.

Above all, Chip loved his family, and his grandchildren held an especially precious place in his heart.

Chip is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kay Fails. Forty-five years of marriage was a testament in itself to a lifetime built together through love, commitment, laughter, stubbornness, good times, difficult times, and everything in between.

He is also survived by his children, Stephanie (Jason) McCorkel and Josh (Emily) Fails; his grandchildren, Stratton McCorkel, Brantley Bradley, and Tate Fails; mother in-law Addie Nell Traylor, his sisters, Joan (Larry) Wise and Kim Brown; He leaves behind several nieces and nephews, as well as other family members and friends who loved him dearly. Also surviving is Ben Searcy, who was not a son by blood, but was a son in every way that mattered. He will be missed dearly by his beloved dog, Tennie, his constant companion and best friend.

Chip was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Peggy Fails; his father-in-law, Glenn Traylor; his grandson, Cason Allen McCorkel; and his brother-in-law, Kenny Wayne Traylor.

Chip’s life wasn’t defined by fancy things or grand gestures. It was found in family, hard work, the outdoors, a good meal from the grill, a fishing pole, time spent in the woods, and the small ways he showed the people around him that he cared.

Those who knew Chip will remember a hardworking, strong-willed, one-of-a-kind man who loved in his own way and left behind a lifetime of stories and memories that his family will carry with them forever.