Ret. Major James Thomas "Jimmy" Carl

Ret. Major James Thomas “Jimmy” Carl, age 83 of Bells, TN, formerly of Henry County, died Thursday, February 25, 2021, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, retiring as a Major after 20 years of service.  After his military service, he started his own contracting company, Homeworks.  Jimmy was a great cook who enjoyed eating, fishing, and going to antique shops.  He was a member of Woodland Baptist Church in Jackson, TN.

James was born March 4, 1937, in Big Sandy, TN, to the late T.W. Carl and the late Clara B. Davis Carl.

He was married June 19, 1975, to his previous wife, Novis R. Carl, who preceded him in death in 2015.  He was married August 22, 2015, to Sara Hardin Carl, who survives, of Bells, TN.

Along with his wife, he is also survived by two children, Susan Ann Lightfoot of Austin, TX, and Thomas William “Tommy” Carl of Lampasas, TX; five stepchildren, Sandra Long of Humboldt, TN, Bo (Cindi) Jones of White House, TN, Alan (Nancy) Jones of Murfreesboro, TN, Roger Hardin of Jackson, TN, and David Hardin of Jackson, TN; one brother, Richard W. “Dickie” (Jean) Carl of Paris; six grandchildren, Natalie (Jeremy) Cannon, Zack (Brandy) Jones, Brandon (Bobbie) Jones, Ben (Kail) Long, Nick (Alicia) Jones, and Elizabeth Jones; and 14 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and previous wife, he was also preceded in death by one brother, William Lee “Buddy” Carl.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  A private, family visitation and funeral service will be held, with Stacy McCollum officiating.  The funeral service can be viewed on Mr. Jimmy’s page at ridgewayfuneralhome.com on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at 11:00 am.

Family members will serve as pallbearers.

Burial will be in Walker Cemetery in Paris.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.