Jim Harbin passed away on January 17, 2018 at his home at the age of 85. He was born in Dixie Lee Junction in Knox County. He graduated from Farragut High School and attended Milligan College in Johnson City, where he exceeded in football and basketball. He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. John and Stacey Harbin; older brother, G.R. Harbin, and a very special son, Terry Harbin. Survived by his beautiful and lovely wife of 63 years, a Niota country girl, Faye; two sons, James, Dennis and Rick; daughter-in-law, Glenda; two grandchildren, Shawn and Jessica (Nickie) Harbin. As a Navy Reservist, he was called to active duty during the early Korean War and near the end of the war, as a Navy Medical Corman attached to the 2nd Marine division. He received a Purple Heart at T-Bone Hill near Chorwon in North Korea. After the war, he went into home building with his father and brother until the mid-sixties, when he formed various businesses in construction, real estate, insurance, and developing. He was very active in Commercial in Commercial and Industrial Construction and Developing for the next forty years, with assistance from the help of his three sons. Then, he retired from the active business and played golf on every golf course in East Tennessee. In 1980, he was elected to the newly formed County Government as a Knox County Commissioner from the Sixth District and later re-elected to a second term on the Commission. He was the past President of Powell Lions Intervention. He was the chairman of the Powell Industrial Committee and had a lead part in obtaining Levi Strauss to locate in the Powell Community. He was the President of Association of Builders and Contractors. He was also a lifetime member of forty plus years in the Knoxville board of Realtors. Jim and his wife were long time members of Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Lamp Lighters Sunday School class. They also traveled extensively during their lifetime, both nationally and internationally; mostly related to business or civic conventions. The family will receive friends on Saturday January, 20 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with a Funeral Service to follow at Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Burial will be on Sunday January 21, 2018 at 12:30 pm at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery. Friends and family may offer their condolences at www.highlandmemorialknoxville.com
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