James (Jim) Graham

One of God's farmers went to his heavenly harvest at the beginning of an earthly harvest season - his favorite time of the year. James Rufus (Jim) Graham, Sr., 75, of Newport died peacefully at his home on Friday, September 9. He was predeceased by his wife, Yvonne Ladd Graham, in 2005, and a son, John Howard Graham, in 1994. He was a son of the late William A. and Myrtle Seals Graham. The Grahams were former residents of Loudon, TN, and moved to Newport, TN as their farm was taken by TVA for the Tellico Dam lakeway in 1970. A graduate of Loudon High School, Jim received an A.S. Degree in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee. He returned to manage the home dairy farm, in 1958 when his father was stricken with cancer. His unequalled and demanding work ethic built two successful farming operations in his lifetime - a dairy farm that grew into a large row-crop operation. A career farmer and agriculturist, he believed in being a community contributor. Mr. Graham was a leader in many agricultural organizations. He was president of the Cocke Farmers Co-op Board, served on the State Board of Directors for Tennessee Farmers Cooperative from 1985-1991, and was State Chair in 1990-91. He served as Chair of the Cocke Co. NRCS Board, president of Cocke Co. Farm Bureau, and for several terms on the TN FB Grain Commodity Committee. Farming in partnership and in agribusiness with his son, Jay, Mr. Graham received several awards. He was named Tennessee/Lancaster Southeastern Farmer of the Year in 1980 by the Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie Georgia. The Graham Farm has won awards in National Corn Growing Contests. The family was also part-owners of Tri-State Tractor and Turf in Greeneville, TN. A lifelong Republican, he was an elected Road Commissioner, followed by several terms as Chair of the Cocke Co. Legislative Body. He was a candidate for State Representative. He was an active member of a group that became known as the 'Tellico Resisters' which challenged questionable eminent domain projects in the 60's and 70's. He was a deacon of the Loudon Cumberland Presbyterian Church, followed by active membership at First United Methodist Church of Newport, especially in his Sunday School Class and on the Administrative Board. 'Devoted' father and grandfather was an understatement. In between planting and plowing, "Daddy Jim" always made time to pick up kids at school, or take them to dance practice. An avid sports enthusiast, his 'favorite' ball park was wherever any of the kids and grandkids was playing at any given moment. His greatest achievement in life was to watch any of his family excel at any endeavor they undertook. His legacy is his family's continued involvement in farming, agribusiness, or education. His life's work has been about 'sowing seeds' - seeds to feed hundreds of thousands of Americans their bread, meat, and milk; seeds to pursue success in any life's work; and seeds to leave the world better than you found it. He is survived by daughters, Julia Graham Walker, Elizabeth Graham Parker, a daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Dr. Bolling Brawley, a son and daughter-in-law, James R. (Jay) and Courtney Graham; seven grandchildren and indicated spouses, Justin Parker & Jessica Fuqua, Travis & Emily Parker Denton, Lucas & Jaymie Graham, Austin Graham, Savannah Brawley, Blair Brawley, and Caroline Brawley; one great-granddaughter, Hayden Graham; sister Peggy Graham Bates of Knoxville, her children Rosemary, Bill and Rachel and families; trusted farm employees, Bill & Brenda Ford, and a nationwide network of extended family and friends. The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church, Newport, Tennessee on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 5:00 pm, church pastoral staff presiding; the family will continue receiving friends following the funeral service. Committal service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12, at Union Cemetery in Newport. Pall bearers will be grandsons and close friends, Bill Ford and Mark Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Cocke County Education Foundation / Graham Scholarship Fund, c/o Tommy Bible, Treasurer, 122 Hwy 25E, Newport, TN 37821; or to the First United Methodist Church - Maintenance Fund; 517 2nd Street; Newport, Tennessee; 37821. Manes Funeral Home, Newport, in charge.

James (Jim) Graham

January 22, 1936 - September 9, 2011