Jimmy “Jim” Vineyard, 71, of Spring City, TN, peacefully passed away on January 1, 2023 surrounded by loved ones, after a difficult battle with Dementia.
Jim was born on March 4, 1951 to John and Jean Vineyard, in Rhea County, TN. Growing up Jim spent his time working on the family farm. After Jim graduated from Rhea County High School in 1969, he pursued a career in the Army for two years, the Army Reserves for five years, an Associate of Science in Pre-Engineering, Associate of Science in Mathematics and Physics, and an Associate of Science General Studies at Roane State Community College, an Associates of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasis in Nuclear Power Plant Operations at Chattanooga State Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Tennessee Tech University.
During Jim’s time in the Army, he had the opportunity to travel the world and further his passion for engineering mechanics. His focus in the military was engineering mechanics. He was stationed in multiple places in Germany and several locations state side. One of his many accomplishments during his time in the military was suggestion of a generator flaw he found, which he presented a change to the design and the military used his idea and presented him with a letter stating they would be changing the generator designs based on his recommendations and certificate for his acknowledgement. He was Honorably Discharged from the Army in May of 1977.
After his time in the Army, he began working towards a rewarding career as an Assistant Plant Operator at TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant for over 30 years. Jim was passionate about engineering mechanics and loved what he did for a living. Jim retired in 2006.
While retired, Jim had time to pursue his love of antiques and owning his own business. Jim opened up his store called The Vineyard in his home town with his loving wife Mildred Vineyard. Together, along with help from family, they ran the store until early on in 2022. He spent many days working on refurbishing furniture and finding unique items to put in his shop.
Jim cherished his family deeply and spent his whole life making sure he was a loving son, brother, uncle, father, husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He brought a smile to everyone he met, never meeting a stranger. Jim had a wonderful life, dedicated to God and his family. Now that Jim has passed into the arms of our Lord, we should remind ourselves that while this is the end of Jim’s physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for him.
Jim joins his parents John and Jean Vineyard, his youngest sister Anita Price, and his twin sons Adam and Jeromy Vineyard in Heaven. He is survived by his wife Mildred Vineyard, brother Paul Vineyard and his wife Janice Vineyard, sister Lynn Chambers and her husband Don Chambers, his sons Cody Vineyard and Allen Parton, daughter Jennifer Parks, Step-sons and spouses Ronnie and Gail Phipps, Donnie and Patricia Phipps, and Tony and Mindy Phipps, grandchildren Scarlette Vineyard, Mylez Ganskow, Kayden and Jacob Parks, Jake Phipps, Alex Thomas, Trevor Phipps, Ashley Phipps, Whitley Phipps, and Taylor Phipps, and great-grandchildren Archer Phipps, and Ella and Gray Thomas . Services will be held at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 3, 2023 at 5pm to 7pm CST. An Honor Guard service will immediately follow at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family.