Jimmy Jack Cansler, 80, of Main Street Farm, a local businessman and community leader, died Saturday, after a few years of declining health. He was a community figure in local and area business circles.
He was born to the late Georgia Kate Rader and Glen C. Cansler, and was brought up on a farm in Midway. His having worked from the time he was a young boy in agriculture was responsible for helping instill in him a true work ethic. From a small child he was brought up in the Christian faith. Cansler’s first job off of his family’s farm was with the Magnavox Company, Jefferson City, and then he worked for Daniels Company in construction for six years. He started his business in his garage in 1973 with Jerry Chapman – hence the name C & C Millwright Maintenance Company, Inc. As of today, C & C has done business in every state in the union except Hawaii and Alaska. Following Chapman’s death in a car accident, Cansler retained 100 percent stock of his business. He was president until 1996 when he became CEO, and since that time Jerry Fortner has presided as president. Other business started by Cansler included Summer Street Pawn Shop, Lift Truck Sales & Service, J & J Trucking and Warehouse, Automatic Air, Greeneville Machine & Erection and Continental Equipment. Cansler was involved in several community activities through the years although wishing to remain in the background when awards and recognition were handed out. His generosity reaches far and wide. Locally he extended his giving spirit to Tusculum College and built the soccer field park; helped develop the Tusculum View Park; was responsible for getting the fire truck placed in the front of the Greene County Museum (Nathanael Greene Museum at the time), assisted with the Big Spring Project behind the library and has given generously through the years to the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County. His hobbies included numerous trips in the mountains, prospecting and searching for treasure. He was always interested in the Swift Gold Mine. His love of farming continued throughout his entire life as he enjoyed raising beef cattle and working on the farm. Many of his friends called him “Farmer Jimmy Jack.”
He was preceded in death by his daughter: Melinda Ruth Greene; his parents: Georgia Kate Rader and Glen C. Cansler; sisters: JoAnn Attanasio, and Grace Willis; brothers: Fred and Leroy Cansler; and special friend: Bob Ramsey.
He is survived by his wife: Annie Bird Cansler of 43 years; son: Michael (Mike) Allen Cansler; two stepsons who he treated as his own children: Jim Foster (Debbie) and Robert Foster; grandchildren: Eleanor Anne-Marie Foster, Calvin Jack Foster, Jordan Banner, Monica Paige Greene, and Brittany Danielle Greene; son- in- law: Rick Greene; brothers: Robert (Evelyn), Steve, John (Joyce), Ralph (Billie) and Ronnie (Belinda); three sisters- in- law: Lucille Cansler, Linda Laughter and Catherine Bird; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home, the funeral home that Cansler built.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Kiser Rose Hill chapel on Thursday at 11:00 am. Rev. Todd Jenkins and Dr. Dan Donaldson will be in charge of the service. Burial will take place in the GreeneLawn Memory Gardens Perpetual Care Cemetery in the Bird Memorial Section of Christus Garden.
Pallbearers will be Steve Cansler, John Cansler, Ronnie Cansler, Robert Foster, Jim Foster, and Bert Cansler. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Cansler, Ralph Cansler, the management of C & C Millwright; special friend: Dr. James Ray McKinney; Urology Specialist, Dr. Ryan B. Pickens of Knoxville; and caregivers Dale Fann, Dawn Seth and Nancy Rogers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of First Presbyterian Church, 110 N. Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743.
