James Thomas Cupit

July 21, 1943 - April 11, 2024

James Thomas Cupit (Jim), age 80, of Hermitage, TN, passed away peacefully, with his immediate family bedside, on April 11, 2024. He was born on July 21,1943, in the small town of Pleasant Hill, Copiah County, MS, to the late Cornelius Grafton Cupit and Rose Alice Morse.

Jim was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Jim is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Phyllis Anne (Crutchfield) Cupit, daughter Kellye Anne Cupit, son James (Jase) Thomas Cupit II (Karin), and his brother, Jack Grafton Cupit (Glenda).

He is also survived by 5 grandchildren; Colten Riley Cupit (Alanna), Taylor Anne Ramirez (Jacob), McKenna Astrid, Cody Elijah, and Madison Corrine Cupit as well as 5 great-grandchildren; Bentley Gage, Lillian Rose, Noah James, Magnolia Anne Ramirez and Clover Tolice Cupit.

Jim graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1964 with a degree in Industrial Arts. His first job out of college was with Boeing Michoud, in New Orleans, working on the Saturn 5 Rocket for two years. He moved to Nashville TN in 1966 to accept a job at Avco/Textron as a dedicated Aerospace Engineer, where he worked for over 30 years. He worked on many projects including the Gulf Stream Corporate Jet, the C5A Galaxy Wing, Lockheed L1011, B1 Bomber, C1-30A, and components for the Space Shuttle Booster. He was a Sr. Engineer overseeing the Avco Motor Coach, and later the Director of Government Properties. In 1997, after retiring he became Director of The Nashville Farmers Market. He finished his career with Nashville Metropolitan Government, before retiring again, as a manager of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office warehouse.

While he was a diligent and dedicated employee for so many years, Jim worked to live. He worked hard to be able to spend precious time with his family.

In that free time, Jim loved cooking on the grill, being on the water or in the woods. He was an avid outdoorsman. He hunted deer, turkey, and elk. His passion, however, was bass fishing. He fished many lakes in the Southeast and knew them all well. Jim was a founding member of the Percy Priest Bass Busters and Volunteer Bass Masters. He won many tournaments, including the club championship once. Eventually, he gave up weekends away at tournaments, to spend more time fishing with his family and passing down the love for the sport. Later in life, his passion turned to turkey hunting with Phyllis. He introduced her, and many countless others, to turkey hunting. The two spent many treasured and precious hours in the woods together. Jim served as the Middle TN chapter president of the National Wild Turkey Federation for several years, with the support of his wife. They were both awarded the Jack Jordan award for outstanding chapter service in 1994. Jim went on to serve on the TN state board, and then finally, as TN State President. After finishing his term of volunteer service with the NWTF, Jim and Phyllis enjoyed auditioning and accepting many commercial shoots and print advertising opportunities. It was something they enjoyed doing together and supported each other through every step. Most of all, they spent time enjoying their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jim was so intelligent, could fix anything, loved to work with his hands, and kept a garden until late in life. He cherished and took pride in his home grown tomatoes.

He loved our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a deacon and worshiped at New Hope Hermitage Church for as long as he was able.

Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his memory will live in our hearts forever. We know we will reunite with him again inside Heaven’s gates.

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

A celebration of Jim's amazing life will be held on Saturday, May 18,2024 at 11am at

New Hope Hermitage Church

6010 S New Hope Rd

Hermitage, TN 37076

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Grand Central Station

PO Box 4777

New York, NY 10163

https://www.michaeljfox.org/

-OR-

The Amyloidosis Research Consortium

320 Nevada Street, Suite 210

Newton, MA 02460

https://arci.org/donate/