James Robert "Bob"Potter

James Robert “Bob” Potter, beloved husband, father, PapPaw, son, brother, veteran, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

The second oldest of six children, Bob was born to the late Sarah Helen Balthrop Potter and Huel Brown Potter on November 18, 1938, on the Potter family farm in the White Oak community in Houston County, Tennessee. He grew up on his mother’s family farm on Balthrop Branch, a Revolutionary War land grant, where he developed a love for baseball, playing on his own “field of dreams” - a ball diamond his father built on the upper field. His early years helped shape the values that remained with him throughout his life: hard work, humility, integrity, and putting others before himself.

Bob proudly served his country as a member of the 11th Air Assault Division of the United States Army from 1961 to 1963. His service was an important part of his life, and he carried the values of honor and commitment with him long after his military service ended.

In November 1958, Bob began his remarkable 47-year career in retail with Kuhn’s 5 & 10 / Kuhn’s - Big K Stores. Through hard work, exceptional business skills, and an unwavering devotion to those around him, he rose from assistant manager to regional vice president. In 1981, Kuhn’s merged with Walmart Stores, Inc. and Bob continued in the role of District Manager until his retirement in 2006. Bob also served on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Retail Federation from 1993 to 1996. He was widely recognized for his leadership and merchandising expertise, and one of his proudest professional moments came in 2000 when he was honored as Walmart District Manager of the Year.

More than any career accomplishment, it was always the relationships he built that he treasured most. During his years in retail, Bob knew Sam Walton well, a man with whom he shared a mutual love and respect. As a testament to Mr. Potter’s servant heart and faith in Christ, Mr. Sam routinely called on Bob to pray in shareholder and companywide meetings.

Bob loved the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, fishing, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers and Vanderbilt Commodores. His favorite pastime was being a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. To Bob, baseball was never simply a game. It was woven into the fabric of home, family, childhood, and cherished memories.

On August 23, 1964, Bob married the love of his life, Janet Cooksey. Together, they shared sixty-two years of marriage, building a life filled with love, family, faith, laughter, and countless memories. They raised four children: Alecia (Bobby) Meyer; Angela (Jarrett) Embry; Aimee (Brian) Keith; and Adam (Anna) Potter, and created a home where family always came first.

Bob was a devoted Christian and served faithfully in many ministries within the church and was a longtime member of Memorial United Methodist Church. His faith was reflected not only in his church life, but in the way he lived each day. He was a man of integrity who consistently put the needs of others before his own. He was loved by all who knew him and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and genuine love for others.

He was especially proud of his family and cherished his role as Dad, but his proudest role was as PapPaw. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him tremendous joy, and the memories they made together will remain a treasured part of his family's story. Those that are lucky enough to call him by that name are: Zachary (Katie) Marcum – Finn, Phoebe, Florence; Blakely Keith; Abigail (Jesse) Hagan – Ellie, Landry, Charlotte; Wesley Marcum; Landon (Allison) Marcum – Scottie Kate; Cara (Josh) Atherton; Kyle (Adrianna) Embry; Terrance Meyer; and Kaylynn Meyer.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet, of sixty-two years; his children grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; as well as his siblings Charles Potter, Faye (Charlie) Lair, Billy (Jackie) Potter, and sister-in-law Betty Potter; his Cooksey family, nieces, nephews, and a host of dear friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his in-laws Virginia and Henry Cooksey; sister Lavell Walker, brother Valton Potter, brother-in-law Jim Walker, sister-in-law Betty Ann Potter, nephew Kirk Potter, and brother-in-law George Cooksey.

Though he will be deeply missed, Bob leaves behind a lifetime of love and memories that will continue throughout the generations.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to some charities Bob loved most: Camp Loucon, Cardinal Cares, Memorial UMC, St. Jude, and Wesley Hilltop House.

Visitation is from 4:00-7:00 PM Sunday, September 27 and 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Monday, September 28 at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown.

The funeral is at 2:00 PM, Monday September 28, at Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown with the Rev. Sean Ryan officiating.

Interment follows at Hardin Memorial Park.