James Point Obituary

July 17, 1944 – March 26, 2024

James Nelson Point, age 79, transitioned to eternal life on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, with his wife and daughters by his side, after less than a week in hospice.

Jim was a proud Eagle Scout. He attended the following universities on his educational path, University of Pittsburgh, Wooster College, and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, before obtaining a master's degree in city planning and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee. It was at the University of Tennessee where he met the love of his life, Nancy.

He served in the United States of America as a US Naval Intelligence Officer at the rank of lieutenant and was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He moved to Rogersville in 1974 working for Tennessee Valley Authority before opening his law practice in Hawkins County in 1982.

Alongside his wife Nancy of 55 years, he exemplified the values of family, raising their three daughters, Riki, Beth and Alicia, in Rogersville and creating a welcoming home environment for their friends. He and his family were active members of the Rogersville Presbyterian Church, where he served numerous years as a youth leader. He also served 20 years as a lay pastor. His favorite verses were Proverbs 3:5, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Romans 8:37-39, and 1 Peter 5:10-11.

He was a great giver of sound, reasonable advice and counsel to anyone he met.

He was a humble servant with his unwavering dedication and commitment to public service to our community. Jim was a volunteer coach through the Rogersville Parks and Recreation girls' basketball and softball for 30 years, providing opportunities for his daughters and countless other young girls. He was later inducted into their Little League Coach Hall of Fame in 1994. Jim continued to provide family and community entertainment by dressing up as Uncle Sam for the fourth of July parades, wearing outrageous holiday suits, and his 24-year contribution to the Annual Christmas Cantata.

His longevity of service, individually and collectively, was valued and exemplified in his 50 years as a member of the United Way Board of Directors, 25 years as the attorney for Holston Electric Cooperative, and numerous other boards, including the Rogersville Water Commission, Chip Hale Center, and McKinney Cemetery. He served as a Rotary Club member for more than 20 years and was the Hawkins County delinquent tax attorney for 42 years, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and tirelessly working to safeguard the interests of our residents. He did all of this with dignity, fairness, and integrity. Jim consistently served all positions with honor and a deep sense of personal responsibility, along with his keen sense of humor and personality.

Jim valued and appreciated his co-workers, calling them his second family, and consistently brought humor into the work environment, most notably his "dad jokes" and the annual Christmas Cantata in the Hawkins County Courthouse dressed in the most outrageous Christmas suits.

He was an avid reader and world traveler. He and his wife traveled the world and enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. He learned something from every book and trip. He loved Alaska and traveled there often, enjoying the poetry of Robert Service and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. One of his favorites was Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. He appreciated the short stories of O. Henry. He enjoyed landscaping and took up a passion for woodworking in recent years. He liked jokes, the cornier the better, and had a goofy sense of humor. He loved celebrating July 4th!

All of his experiences influenced his fictional stories and tales that were enjoyed by anyone who met Jim. He was a quarterback and wide receiver for the Detroit School of Cooking located at the corner of Drumstick and Dressing and still has four years eligibility remaining, along with the additional COVID year. He also played the tuba in their marching band. His side gig was working at Riley's Meat Market with their special on bologna by the pound or the slice. He had numerous appearances in the Olympics, including figure skating and tiptoe pole vaulting.

He was a Zorkba Scholar and the creator of the Violet Rose saga, all beloved by his grandchildren. He was a connoisseur of mint chocolate chip ice cream. He was well known for his array of unique socks, ties, and suits. He loved his blue ink pens. He was an aficionado of dad jokes, particularly bad dad jokes - What did the triangle say to the circle? You're POINTless.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lenard H. Point and Patricia S. Point.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nancy Wilson Point; daughters, Alicia (Jason) Mumpower, Beth (Michael) Clingaman, and Riki (Steve) Zimmerman; grandchildren, Max Mumpower, Charlie Clingaman, Maddie Clingaman, Alexandra Zimmerman, and J.D. (Jillian) Zimmerman; sister, Maggi Ruth Boyer; sister-in-law, Melba E. Wilson; and his many special friends at the office of Point & Keetan and the Hawkins County Court House.

The family would like to give a special thanks to our home care providers and hospice nurses for their loving care and support in these final days.

Family will receive friends from 1-3pm on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Rogersville Presbyterian Church. Funeral service will begin at 3pm with Pastor Rodney Norris officiating. A Military Honors Graveside Service will be held immediately following at the McKinney Cemetery. Pallbearers will be J.D. Zimmerman, Charlie Clingaman, Max Mumpower, Steve Zimmerman, Michael Clingaman, and Jason Mumpower. Honorary pallbearers are Kevin Keeton, Bill Combs, Michael Gillespy, Bob Boyd, Charles Housewright, and the men of the Alien Golf Group.

Jim was an active member of the United Way for 50 years. He would be so honored if in lieu of flowers, contributions were made to the United Way of Hawkins County, PO Box 277, Rogersville, TN 37857 or www.unitedwayofhawkinscounty.com . Online condolences may be sent at www.christiansells.com.