James H. Scott of Sugartree, Tennessee

September 16, 1935 - November 8, 2019

Merriam Webster did a pretty good job in defining words; however, so many of those words must be felt or received in the heart as they are merely more than definitions on a page. Love, kindness, selflessness, wise, listener extraordinaire, big hearted, patient, jokester...these are just a few of the adjectives one could use when describing Jim, Dad, PePa, Friend. Now let’s learn a little more about this precious man.
Jim was born on September 16, 1935 and grew up in Morven, Georgia, to parents James Howard and Bertha Combuss Scott. Sister Bertha and half brothers Henry and Perry (Carter) rounded out the team. He entered the Navy on September 9, 1953 and served in the Korean War until April 30, 1956 as a PO3/E4 when honorably discharged due to a critical injury. While on leave from the Navy in Quitman, Georgia, he then met his devoted and beloved wife of 51 years, Paralee Thomas (1939-2008), while she was a junior at Quitman High School. They married on November 11, 1956.

Jim and Paralee moved to Nashville in 1964 when he transferred with IBM. Over the next 28 or so years they launched Music City Van Service, Nashville Transfer & Storage, and S&S Transportation. They decided to sell the transportation businesses in 1995 and retire.

Retirement agreed with Jim as did golf. Now those of you who joined him on the golf course have many stories to tell, I’m sure. Or perhaps those stories are entitled ‘what happens on the golf course, stays on the golf course’ as that fun-loving, jokester side of him is what endeared so many.

He had many hobbies including gardening, cooking, and fishing to name a few, but one of his favorite hobbies was boating. Many may not realize that he was Gas Jet Drag Boat Bracket Champion in 1979, River Race Class Champion in 1980 and Unblown Gas Champion in 1981 and 1982. However, he would be the first one to tell you that his most rewarding time on the water was spent with a boat full of kids teaching them how to ski, swim or ride a jet ski – the man had unending patience.

Oh, and let’s not forget how that man could play cards! One never could understand why they were subjected to six hours (or longer into the wee hours of the morning) of playing Shanghai knowing full well he was going to win. He had the canniest ability to read people’s hands and win nearly every game. That remains one of the unsolved mysteries of the world. If there was cheating going on, and the jury’s still out on that one, no one was ever able to figure out how he did it.

Another wonder to ponder… How could such a small man consume his weight in crab legs and not look bloated or gain an ounce? That was Jim. He loved good food. Steak, crab legs, catfish and BBQ ribs were among his favorites.

Being a Masonic member of Corinthian Lodge #8 F&AM for 49 years, he served as Worshipful Master in 1997 and Treasurer thereafter. He was also a member of Rock City #2 Order of Eastern Star for 45 years where he served as Worthy Patron many times and “Cook” Ameritrust. Jim was also a former member of Bellevue Christian Church prior to moving to Parsons, TN, to live in a peaceful cabin overlooking the Tennessee River.

Jim left this earthly home for Glory on November 8, 2019 after a two year battle with cancer and recent stroke. He is survived by his sweetheart and loving companion Shirley Beck of Brentwood, TN; sister, Bertha Jump (husband, Roy) of Warner Robbins, GA; sister-in-law Dorothy Carter (husband, Henry) of Valdosta, GA; sons Bryant (wife Keyne) of Burns, TN; Michael Scott (sweetheart Brenda Makemson) of Hopkinsville, KY; daughter Brenda Scott Kaauwai of Murfreesboro, TN; grandsons Adam Kaauwai of Nashville, TN; Garrett Scott (wife, Amber and great-granddaughter, Harper) of Fairview, TN; granddaughters Katlyne and Mallory Scott of Nashville, TN; step-granddaughters Mallory Goodson (husband, JT) of Atlanta, GA; Abigail Zewicky (husband, Mark) of Readyville, TN; and former daughter-in-law, Cellia Cope (husband, Ronnie) of Murfreesboro, TN.

A Naval Color Guard service and flag ceremony will be held promptly at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, TN, with a Masonic service immediately following. A memorial service will be held at a later date (to be announced). In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to be given to the Shriners Children’s Hospital of choice.

So when next you think of Jim, we hope you will have your own sweet memories and adjectives of this wonderful man we affectionately called Dad, PePa and friend.

And, if the good Lord is playing cards with him in Heaven and hears that’ tehehehe’ snicker, He better have a couple of cards stuffed up his sleeve. He’ll need them.

Forever in loving memory.