James "Jim" William Gifford

James "Jim" William Gifford, 73, of Nashville, TN passed away Monday, May 30, 2022. Jim was born on February 15, 1949 in Kokomo, IN and was the third of six children to Charles and Wanda Gifford. Jim grew up in Kokomo and his Hoosier roots ran strong. He attended Butler University where he met the love of his life, Gail White Gifford during freshman orientation. They married three years later and celebrated almost 52 years of married life. He and Gail later transferred to Indiana University where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Education. Jim would then go on to earn a Masters of Arts Degree in Correctional Counseling from Chapman University while serving in the United States Navy where he was a drug abuse counselor in San Diego, CA and was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal.

After serving our country, Jim obtained a Master of Science Degree in Oenology (winemaking) from Fresno State University. He held winemaker positions at Fetzer Vineyards in Ukiah, CA; Gold Seal Vineyards in Hammondsport, NY and Domaine Mumm in the Napa Valley. After many years as one of the best in this field, Jim fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams of opening his own winery, Olde Germania Wine Cellars in Hammondsport, where he lived with Gail and their children Grant and Samantha.

After sixteen years in the winery business, Jim felt he was being led in a different direction and decided to pursue an education degree. He became a high school English teacher in 1997 with the Dundee Central School system in upstate New York, until his family relocated to Nashville, TN where he would accept a position as an English teacher in 2001 at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, TN. During his years at Oakland, Jim would become a fierce defender of public education, often speaking on the topic. Jim was a member of the Rutherford County Education Association and served as President during the 2015-2016 school year. His coworkers and fellow Rutherford County School peers hold Jim in the highest regard and called him a pillar in the Rutherford County School community. After retiring in 2019, Jim would find joy spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Jim was the true definition of a family man where his devotion to them was unmatched. Jim also enjoyed attending church at Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, TN, reading the Bible with his wife and writing editorials and news articles. Jim’s brother Jeff, described Jim as the best guy he ever knew and not one person who ever met him would disagree with that statement. Jim made this world a better place in everything he did and his legacy will live on for years to come.

Jim is survived by his wife Gail White Gifford; son Grant Gifford (Bethany Hotchkiss Gifford); daughter Samantha Gifford Stapel (Scott Stapel); grandchildren, Blake, Tinley and Donivan; brothers David and Jeff (wife Sherry); sister-in-law Pam White Lehman (husband Gary) along with many nieces, nephews and extended family. Jim is preceded in death by parents Charles and Wanda Gifford, brothers Mike and Brain and sister Susan.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Stonebridge Bible Church, located at 7104 Crossroads Blvd., Suite #105 in Brentwood, TN, on Saturday, July 23rd at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Oakland High School, 2225 Patriot Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 (Jim Gifford memorial written in the memo section) or to Stonebridge Bible Church (www.stonebridgebible.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mountolivet.com for the Gifford family.