James Edgar Pollard Jr

Mr. James Edgar Pollard, Jr., age 79, resident of Columbia, died Friday, February 26, 2016 at NHC Healthcare Hillview in Columbia. Visitation with the family will be at South Gate Church of Christ Sunday, February 28, 2016 from 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. and Monday, February 29, 2016 from 10:00 - 11:00 A.M. with funeral services conducted Monday at 11:00 A.M. with Joe Macer, Jim Pollard, and John Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. Born in Holt's Corner, Marshall County, Tennessee on July 7, 1936 he was the son of Carrie Whaley Pollard who died in 1940 and the late James E. Pollard and the late Marie Gates Pollard. Mr. Pollard was an active member of South Gate Church of Christ (formerly Eastside) where he had served as both a deacon and elder. Mr. Pollard retired in 1996 after 42 years in steel fabrication with Maury Steel and Custom Steel. He was a former member of the Columbia Rotary Club. He served on the Board of Directors of Columbia Academy for 6 years and the Freed-Hardeman University's President's Advisory Board. As a youth, Mr. Pollard was a member of the Boy Scout Troop 109 where he attained the rank of Eagle. He along with his brother, Ned, served as Scoutmasters of Troop 148 for 13 years. Mr. Pollard served in the United States Army from October 1959 through February 1962 and was assigned to the 553 Military Police Company at Fort Campbell, Kenutcky. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Melba Derryberry Pollard of Columbia; two sons, Jon (Lynn Williams) Pollard and Jim (Leigh Anna Barber) Pollard; two grandsons, Jacob and Boone Pollard; three granddaughters, Cladie, Kennedy, and Campbell Pollard; brother, Ned H. Pollard; and several nieces and nephews. Active pallbearers are Daniel Pollard, Edward Hargrove, Erik Johnson, Jerry Williams, John Kodatt, Tom Piland, and Randy Ring. Honorary pallbearers include preachers, elders, deacons, and other members of South Gate Church of Christ, Tony Sciotto, former boy scouts of Troop 148, and the Hardee's (Hampshire Pike) coffee drinkers, Dr. Cummins Couch, Joe Lancaster, Chris Frierson, Joe Moran, and Richard Walker. The family wishes to express a special thanks to Dr. Cummins Couch, Karen Perry, and the staff and employees of NHC Healthcare Hillview for your loving care of James. The family suggests memorials to South Gate Church of Christ, 2700 Pulaski Highway, Columbia, Tennessee 38401 or to Columbia Academy, 1101 West 7th Street, Columbia, Tennessee 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements.