James Freeman (Jim) Brown

James Freeman Brown affectionately known as Jim died three days shy of his 84^th birthday on March 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and children at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

Jim grew up on a small farm in Knox County and graduated from Farragut High School in 1958.  He was the first in his family to attend college and received his B.S. degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1962 and his M.S. degree in 1965.  He accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Horticulture at the West Tennessee Experiment Station in Jackson.  In 1972 he did further graduate study and received his PhD degree in Plant and Soil Science in 1974.  In May 1977 he was appointed Superintendent of the Jackson Station and remained in that position until his retirement in 2002.

As a seventeen-year-old high school junior, Jim accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord during a revival at his home church.  He called this the most important decision in his life and attributed any success in life to this decision and to his wonderful, loving wife Judy.

He and Judy met in the first week of college and were married four years later.  They had been married for 61 years.  He felt they were greatly blessed to live in the Jackson area surrounded with wonderful friends and close and loving family.  He often said his legacy was his three wonderful children, their spouses and seven grandchildren.  To assist in funding the education of his children, Jim and Judy had a greenhouse business for over thirty years that supplied several nurseries in the area including Marvin, Four Seasons, Long’s, Morris’s, and R & J with plants throughout the growing season. He also loved spending quality time camping, boating, fishing, vacationing and especially hunting with his son, sons-in-law, and grandsons.  Several years ago, he and Judy began a tradition of having the entire family for lunch every Sunday.  Jim was especially grateful to the whole family for sharing this time together.

Jim was a member of First Baptist Church since 1964.  He served several terms as deacon and was named deacon emeritus in 2016.  For many years he enjoyed working with children’s Sunday school and serving as a church usher.  He was especially thankful for the rewarding experiences that came after retirement when he joined the FBC disaster relief team.  This chain saw team made trips to several states following hurricanes, tornadoes, and ice storms.  He also enjoyed helping church members and others through the Barnabus Men’s ministry.  He was never happier than when assisting family, friends, or church members with cutting trees, removing leaves, tilling gardens, and other needs.  Sharing fruits and vegetables from his garden was a special joy. Jim was also a Member of the Jackson Rotary Club for over twenty years.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Freeman and Evelyn Brown and a sister, Pat Cloninger.

He is survived by his wife, Judy of Jackson, TN, a son, Blake and his wife Lisa of Milan, TN; a daughter, Bethany Davenport and husband Jeff of Humboldt, TN, a daughter, Alison Warren and husband Greg of Medina, TN Grandchildren, Luke Davenport (Krysten), Ben Davenport(Logan) and Kayla Whitnell (Micah) Freeman and Bailey Brown and Erin and Elena Warren; great grandchildren, Hayes Davenport, Annabeth Davenport, Dawson Davenport and Ridge Davenport and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration to honor Jim’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, in the Sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Jackson.

The family will be receiving friends beginning at 4:00 p.m. and continuing until 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2024, and again from       10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024, at First Baptist Church.

Memorial donations may be directed to First Baptist Church, 1627 N. Highland Ave., Jackson, TN or to the Dream Center, 59 Oil Well Road, Jackson, TN  38305.

Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305

731.668.1111   arringtonfuneraldirectors.com