James E "Jim" Barber

James Edward (Jim) Barber, age 86, of Nashville, Tennessee, died on November 11, 2014. He was born on January 1, 1928, in Baldwyn, Mississippi, to the late Florence Lindley and Catesby Dickerson Barber. He is preceded in death by his brother, Walker Clinton Barber and sister, Elizabeth Barber Blanton. He is survived by his wife, Carrie "Boots" Baker Barber; daughter, Betty Barber Anderson (Fred) and grandchildren, Jimmy and Sara Anderson; stepchildren, David Floyd (Leigh Ann) and John Floyd (Caroline); and step grandchildren, David III, John Jr., Jacqueline and Mark Floyd. Jim graduated from The University of Mississippi with a B.S. in Physical Education. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and retired from the Marine Corps Reserves with the rank of Captain. For over 40 years, Jim was in the commercial tire business serving as Vice President and General Manager of Dunlap & Kyle Tire Company/Gateway Tire & Service Center in Middle TN, prior to his retirement in 1993. He was President of the Tennessee Tire Dealers Association in 1976, and in 2009 Jim was one of the original inductees into the Tennessee Tire Dealers Association Hall of Fame. A past member of the Nashville Rose Society, he cultivated over 144 hybrid tea roses, and won the NRS Gran Prix Intermediate Champion in 1997 and 1998. Jim was a devoted member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon. Jim will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love for his family, friends and dog, Coco, his travel adventures, and his enjoyment of fishing. He spent many happy days of his retirement with family and friends at his cabin at Stumpwater, on Kentucky Lake, in Big Sandy, TN. He never met a stranger and had a warm smile for all. The family would like to thank the staff of Richland Place Health Center for their outstanding medical care and compassion. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 15th at 11:00 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 33 Burton Hills Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee, 37215. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church or the charity of one's choice.