James Edward McNabb

James Edward McNabb of Oak Ridge, Tennessee passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 4, 2024, after having celebrated Thanksgiving the week before with all his family at home.
He lived a long and full life of devotion to his family, friends and neighbors and will be missed by all who knew him. Jim was a hard-working family man who lived a quiet life grounded in faith in God and love of neighbor. He set an excellent example of steadfastness, temperance and thrift; but his family, friends, and neighbors will remember him most for his kindness, gentleness, humility, and generosity. We are grateful for all he has given us, not least of which was his example of a life well lived. Jim was born in 1931 in Big Spring, Tennessee.
Growing up on a working farm, he had two older brothers and two younger sisters. He enjoyed talking about his memories of growing up and working on the farm, including plowing with mules and the efficiencies of using all parts of a slaughtered hog. Although his home had no indoor plumbing or electricity until he was in high school, his father worked for the US Postal Service carrying the mail and provided well for his family even in the depths of the Depression. His family was close, and Jimmy was a source of love and dependable support to his parents and siblings over the years. Jim graduated from Meigs County High School in 1949 and spent the next year at Hiwassee College, where, true to the family's thrifty roots, he roomed with his two brothers.
The following year, he moved to the University of Tennessee, where he lived in the dorms under Neyland Stadium. After that year, he was unsure whether he wanted to return to Knoxville. A few days before he had to decide, he was talking with a close friend who was thinking about abandoning college and returning to work on the farm. As Jim would later recount in the oft-told story of how he met his wife, an idea popped into his head, and he suggested they go together and enroll at Tennessee Tech. A few days later, the young men were in Cookeville, lined up to register for classes. Jim struck up a conversation with the attractive young woman ahead of him in line. He convinced his friend to go to the women's dorm and find out who she was. That is how Jim met Leiron Parrott, the love of his life who would become his partner for life. Jim and Leiron married in August 1953, shortly after they graduated from Tennessee Tech.
Jim was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army and reported for duty as a Signal Corps officer in Fort Monmouth, NJ, and Leiron soon joined him. They enjoyed life on the base with good friends, and Jim earned a promotion to First Lieutenant and Company Commander. Their first child was born shortly before he left the Army, and the young couple and their 6-week-old daughter moved back to Tennessee late in the summer of 1955.
As he considered places to settle, Jim was encouraged to consider Oak Ridge by his brother, Bob "Red" McNabb, who had moved to Oak Ridge to work at one of the plants and was enjoying it. Jim took a position with Union Carbide at the Y-12 plant, embarking on a 37-year career which culminated in the position of Plant Shift Superintendent before retiring in 1991. Jim and Leiron put down deep roots in Oak Ridge, quickly joining Kern Methodist Church, building a house in 1962, and raising their children in a stable and loving community of faith and good neighbors.
Their unconditional love and example provided a solid foundation for their children, who thrived - eventually finding their own life-long partners and productive careers. Serving others was important to Jim, and he volunteered in his community, primarily with Kern Methodist Church, where he helped start and manage the Monday Morning Maintenance group. He was also active with the Contact crisis hotline and picked up furniture for Ecumenical Storehouse into his 80s. Jim and Leiron also enjoyed their time off and spent weeks camping across the country. The family trips covered a lot of ground; Jim estimated that the family pulled the camper 25,000 miles over the years. Jim and Leiron later enjoyed traveling across the U.S. and in Europe and Canada. Jim enjoyed gathering with the McNabb clan on Decoration day and around Thanksgiving and never missed the annual Parrott family reunion in over 50 years. When Leiron was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1997, caring for Leiron became Jim's fulltime occupation, and he supported her with love and dedication. When Leiron died in 2005, Jim continued to live and volunteer in Oak Ridge and was a good and supportive neighbor to the end of his life. He always enjoyed being with his family and with Leiron's family. He was a cherished father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Jim was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Leiron Parrott McNabb; parents Carl McNabb and Myrtle Layne McNabb; stepmother Johnnie Henry McNabb; brothers Martin McNabb and Robert McNabb; sister Joy McNabb Everett; and brothers-in-law Harold Parrott, Clay Parrott, and Gene Parrott. He is survived by his daughter, Vicki McNabb Black and her husband, Joe Black of Saraland, AL; his son, Alan McNabb and his wife, Jane McNabb of Decatur, GA; his grandchildren: Joseph Black and his wife Kristin Black of Mobile, AL; John McNabb of Decatur, GA; Daniel McNabb and his wife Meghana Nathan of Avondale Estates, GA; and David McNabb of Decatur, GA; and his great-granddaughter, Elakshi McNabb.
He is also survived by his sister, Betty McNabb Davis of Sandy Springs, GA, and his sisters-in- law, Cheryl McNabb of Harrison, TN; Peggy Lyons McNabb of Oak Ridge, TN; Evelyn Parrott Lee of Austin, TX; and Ann Parrott Smith of Antioch, TN. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Jim's neighbors; his Oak Ridge nieces, Mindy McNabb and Mitzi McNabb Thomas and her husband Hughie Thomas; and cook and caregiver, Shantel Brown for the caring support that allowed Jim to remain in his home for his final days.
A private family burial is planned for December 13, 2024, and a memorial service for Jim will be held at 2:00 pm on January 18, 2025, at Kern United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. The family will receive friends starting at 1:00 pm at the church.