James Elmore

James Herman Elmore, a longtime resident of Johnsons Grove, Tennessee, was born on January 9, 1955, in the same town that he called home for the entirety of his seventy years. He was a dedicated agriculturalist, having spent his professional career as a farmer at Cooke Farms before retiring. As John F. Kennedy once said, "The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways." James lived this truth daily, dedicating his life to the nurturing of the land and the cultivation of its bounty. A lover of the outdoors, James was also an avid hunter and fisherman who found great solace in the quiet rhythms of nature.

He is survived by his son, Brian (Tina) Elmore; his brother, Jimmy Neal Edwards; his grandsons Nic (Irene) Elmore, and Joshua (Samantha) Elmore; his granddaughter Emily (Logan) Kight and 9 great grandchildren. His love for his grandkids and great grandkids was as bountiful as the crops he tended, as vast as the open fields he worked. He was preceded in death by his brothers Michael and Darris Elmore, his sisters Mary Brigman and Sheila Elmore, and his parents Herman and Mary Elmore. He is also survived by many nieces, great nieces, nephews, and great nephews.

Visitation for James will be held at Ronk Funeral Home, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 12:00 pm. This will be followed by a funeral service at the same location at 2:00 pm, with Patricia Bushart Merrell officiating. James will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Oak View Memorial Park.

Pallbearers for the service will be Zack Edwards, Jay Elmore, Kody Parker, Anthony Prather, Austin Mayfield, Jerry Elmore. Honorary pallbearer will be Bryan Parkey.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Children's Hospital.

In the words of Helen Keller, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." James' life was a testament to this truth, filled with love, dedication, and a deep connection to the land and his family. We invite all who knew and loved James to leave memories and upload photos to his memorial page, as we remember a life beautifully lived.