James Southard, age 73, a resident of Clinton and formerly of Oliver Springs, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.
Mr. Southard was born Oct. 26, 1940, in Himyar, Ky. He and his family moved to Oliver Springs in 1953.
Following his high school graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force. After completing his military service, he lived in Amarillo, Texas, and Buford, Ga., before moving back to Tennessee in 2002.
Mr. Southard was a retired residential builder and a member of the Community Baptist Church in Oliver Springs.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene Southard; by his parents, William Carson Southard and Louise Jackson Southard; and by a brother, William Carson Southard Jr.
James is survived by the sunshine of his life, Eva Vespie of Wartburg; by daughters, Vivian Bruce and husband Meb of Suwannee, Ga., and Cindi Ray and husband Rodney of Cumming, Ga.; by four grandchildren, Jeremy Rollison, Stephanie Rollison, and Matthew and Megan Ray; and by a great-grandson, J.J. Rollison.
He is also survived by sisters, Brenda Stinnett and husband Howard of Oliver Springs, Barbara Stooksbury of Clinton, Betty Riner and husband Charles of Oliver Springs, Linda Slack and husband McNoel of Oliver Springs, Gail Sigmon and husband Mike of Kingston, Margaret Tuggle and husband Rodney of Lake City, and Becky Moses of Oliver Springs; by brothers, Jack Southard and wife Barbara of Clinton, Tom Southard and wife Annette of Oak Ridge, and Joe Southard and wife Tena of Clinton; and by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends, including a friend since childhood, Kenneth Leab of Thonotosassa, Fla.
The family will receive friends Monday, Feb. 17, between 5 and 7 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Preacher Robert Combs officiating.
Burial and graveside services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens.
Sharp Funeral home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.
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