James "Jim" Nettleton

James Charles "Jim" Nettleton

April 29, 1968-September 30, 2022

Gentleman Farmer Jim Nettleton shuffled off this mortal coil last Friday, September 30 at 7:13 pm at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, TN. He left this plane of existence as he entered it-surrounded by the love of his siblings. Jim bicycled across the length of Tennessee as a teenager. A 1986 graduate of Christian Brothers High School, he fondly remembered when Brother Too Heavy on Discipline clocked him over the head with a textbook in chemistry class. A proud graduate of The University of Memphis, he took the "Life's a journey, not a destination" approach to higher education; he took 10 years to receive his Bachelor's degree. (Four years of engineering classes do not count for much when switching majors to psychology.)

A consummate Memphian, he, like his brother Thomas, worked for Federal Express over 30 years. You could catch "Tipper", as Jim was affectionately known, every June with his beloved teammates at the Memphis Italian Festival. A connoisseur of music, he could have in depth discussions on a variety of genres; he was especially a fan of 1980's and 1990's British music. He blew off going to see Eric Clapton, a favorite, because of his grave disappointment over Slow Hand's CD release which that tour supported. A movie buff, he could discuss the cheesiest blockbusters and the most obscure art house films. An avid reader, John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meaney was a favorite.

Jim was also the sole male friend his female friends could count on to accompany them to any disco when it was time to shake their collective money makers. An excellent bowler, friends would fight over who got to have Jim on their team. Jim knew Chicago well enough to be a tour guide and road tripping to a concert with Jim was a priceless treasure.

Possessing a sardonic wit and a masterful deadpan delivery, Jim was beyond hysterical. He was an amazing son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, Godfather, and friend. With apologies to The Cure, however far away, his friends and family will always love him. We take comfort in the words of C.S. Lewis: "There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."

Jim was proceeded in death by his father Charles Nettleton and his brother David Nettleton. He is survived by his mother Helen Nettleton of Germantown, TN, his sister Theresa Boucher and brother-in-law Ray of Cordova, TN, his brother Thomas Nettleton of Lebanon, TN, his brother John Nettleton and brother-in-law Keith of Locust, NC, and countless friends and coworkers who loved him. Jim requested no funeral or memorial service.