James Scarbrough

What can I say about my dad? 

Dad possessed a big personality stuffed into a short package. He loved people. Boy, did he love people. I remember as a child that it seemed as if no matter where we went, whether it was the grocery store, restaurant, or even simply walking down the road that my dad would inevitably run into someone he knew. This proved more true than I could imagine, for instance when we met a person with Knox County plates in Florida earlier this year.  I called dad and told him -  see, other people from Knoxville like Florida. He asked me, “Well, do I know them.?” “Dad,” I complained, “Knoxville is a big place. Hush.” I eventually met the couple with Knoxville plates and spoke with them about Knoxville when the wife told me she worked at Parker Brothers Hardware. I mentioned that my dad had worked there for almost twenty years a long time ago. She turns to me and asked - “Are you Jimmy Scarbrough’s daughter?” I couldn’t believe my ears. Of course, when I told dad all he said was “see.” 

Also, my dad loved to talk. One of his favorite things was good conversation with interesting people, and he was enough of a goofball to keep you laughing. Dad almost never ran out of stories and never tired of telling them anyway.

He had this way of collecting people, and he never met a stranger.He was a kind-hearted man who would do anything for anyone. He would drop anything he was doing to help without hesitation.  If the cashier at Food City needed a ride home, he was there. If you had a flat tire, or needed to borrow five dollars, he was there. He’d even take his favorite bank tellers out to lunch. 

Dad loved spending time with his wife, Sharon, and his family. He had five children, Robert, Charles, Myself (Sissy/Maggie), Chris, and Sarah. He had a major soft spot for his grandchildren, and he had 13! Every time I spoke to him, he had another story to tell me about how much his grandson Maverick loved to eat tomatoes. But again, that was dad. He was a man who took pleasure in the small things life had to offer, like watching his grandchildren eat, taking a bite out a crisp winesap apple, or giving great big bear hugs. 

Sharon and dad were married for almost six years and I know that Sharon, Jessica, and Maverick brought immense amounts of joy into his life. Maverick was his bestest little buddy and he loved them all dearly. 

I know all of us children will never forget spending time at my dad’s favorite place on earth - the river in the mountains in Pittman Center, Tennessee. This was dad’s paradise. If you were special to him, this is where he wanted to take you. He taught me how to swim there even though he didn’t know how to swim. We ate copious amounts of sandwiches and suffered through many sunburns by that river, and everytime I see a mimosa bloom, I think of my daddy. That place was immensely special to all of us. 

Dad worked for the last 28 years as a paper carrier for the Knoxville News Sentinel, and he only missed eight days of work during that entire time. He was proud of that fact, and liked to remind often while laughing that he took one of those days off for the birth of my son.

Dad was a proud veteran of the US Army. 

My dad was a friend to many. He was a kind and good man whose presence brightened those around him. This world will not be the same without him, and his absence will be felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.  His family will never be the same without him, and our hearts are heavy.

If you would please share your favorite stories, memories, conversations, and pictures on the page below, Jim’s family would love to hear about him through your words, memories and stories.