James Edward "Jim Ed" Peery

A graduate of Tazewell High School, Jim Ed loved football and played the quarterback position his senior year. He attended the University of Tennessee and played saxophone in the UT Marching Band as well as the pep band at basketball games. He was also a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Jim Ed’s first band was The Window Panes... because The Doors was already taken. The four-piece group clinched first place in the 8th grade talent contest.

Jim Ed was a man of quiet strength and a witty humor. He took great pride in his children’s accomplishments and valued the time he spent with his family; especially his grandchildren, Ava, Graham, and Emilia. He enjoyed many weekends at the lake over the years spending time with family and friends.

St. George Island and Hilton Head were favorite places for family vacations. Last summer he made a trip to Alaska. The highlight of the trip was whale watching in Juneau. The summer visits he made to visit cousins and grandparents in Oak Ridge were always remembered with the greatest fondness.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Sydney Ryan Peery. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children, Will Peery (Stephanie) and Louise Scruggs (Clay); and his grandchildren, Ava (14), Graham (4), and Emilia (1). He is also survived by his father, William T. Peery; his brother, William A. Peery; and sisters, Mary Louise Peery and Margaret Ryan Peery.

A very special thank you to Don Stokes and Jim Safewright for their exceptional friendship, which meant so much to Jim Ed and to our family. Thank you to the many friends and family who have called and visited.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 26th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Jim Ed will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. May he rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Jim Ed’s memory to the Live Like 10 Foundation at GHLL10, 1802 Bayberry Court, Suite 102, Richmond, Virginia 23226 (www.gabehendersonlivelike10.org/donate) or Second Harvest Food Bank, 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville TN, 37801.