Mr. James Ulysses Finchum

FINCHUM, James Ulysses, age 69, passed away at his home Tuesday, April 9, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold E. Finchum and Agnes Coleman Finchum; daughter, Heather Loree Auman; brother, Dean Finchum; and sister, Agnes Lewis. He is survived by wife Tawanda Baxter-Finchum; best friend, Red Rooster; children: Brian Finchum (Lori), Erik Baxter (Amy Pryor), and Brittany Finchum-Blocker (Gregory), Lynda Garrison; grandchildren: Cassie Coleman-Mamrock (Adam), Heather Finchum, Briana Finchum, Becky Finchum, Devon Pryor, Samantha Pryor; great-grandchild, Hayden Mamrock; Siblings: Bill Finchum (Betty), Pat Tucker (Ray), Thales Finchum (Kate), Diana Brock (Orville), David Finchum (Wanda), Ura Finchum, Becky Mathis (Larry), JoLea Hayes, Carol Rhoades, Stephanie Carver (Danny), Terry Finchum (Phyllis), Jerry Finchum, Vivian Smedley; former wife, Linda Finchum; countless nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. Jim was born in Knox County, Tennessee on March 14th, 1944. He was the third oldest of 16 children. He lived with his family in East Tennessee until his teenage years when the family relocated to the Nashville area. In 1979, he founded Deacon Erectors, and was a partner in both Anchor Building and Choice Construction Company. Anyone who ever rode through town with him, knows that he was involved in the building of several Nashville area structures. Those include The Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nissan, The Indigo Hotel, McKendree Towers, Vietti Chili, Bruce Hardwood, and the UPS Distribution Center, and sat the Athena statue in the Parthenon to name only a few. "Papa" was always the rock of the family. He insisted on having respect for each other. Family was always the most important, and everyone deserved a second chance. He was always a wordy man, and you felt it if you ever played a game of scrabble with him. He always made you feel like the most important person in the world when you were talking to him. You were always welcome to be wherever he was. If you ever visited with him, whether it was a planned visit or you just popped in unexpectedly, you could count on him feeding you. Sometimes it may just have been a snack, but it was no surprise if you ended up with a cheese/fruit/veggie tray before you got comfortable in your seat. He loved to read, loved history, poetry, art, and music. Most of all, he loved people. He was a husband, father, grandfather, friend, foreman, substitute teacher, homework helper, mentor and role model. He was a man with a huge heart. He was Papa. Papa to his children, his grandchildren, friends of the family, neighborhood children, fellow church members, and sometimes even to complete strangers. He never met anyone that he didn't treat as his friend. "What it amounts to, is this"….Love. He was the most obstinate, ornery man that you could ever meet. However, he loved every member of his family compassionately. That love extended to those that were not blood related, for he considered all mankind his family. The family will receive friends at Mount Olivet Funeral Home in Nashville, TN for a "Celebration of Life" ceremony, Sunday, April 14, at 1:00 pm.