James Robert “J.R.” Southerland, 81, of Johnson City, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Johnson City Medical Center, following a brief illness. Born October 12, 1937, in Chuckey, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Alfred L. and Susan Frances Waddell Southerland.
J.R. retired from Holston Distributing Company, where he was recognized as the Salesman of the Year for several years. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was Methodist by faith.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 59 years, Geraldine Southerland; daughter, Dr. Elizabeth Marie Southerland of Johnson City; son and daughter-in-law, James Alfred and Carolyn Brostad Southerland of Houston, Texas; granddaughter and her fiancé, Grace Olivia Southerland and Samuel Hanz of Orlando, Florida; grandson, David James Southerland of Houston, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Charlotte Southerland of Greenville, Tennessee; sisters-in-law, Georgia Southerland and JoAnn Southerland of Greenville, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three brothers: Ralph E. Southerland, Clinton R. Southerland, and Lonnie Lawrence Southerland; and six sisters: Ruby K. Corby, Leeoma M. Ware, Hazel M. Blevins, Loraine M. Slimp, Malta L. Hunt, and Marilyn L. Blevins.
During his life, J.R. enjoyed working in his garden; family trips to the coast; seeing the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati; visiting his children and grandchildren in Florida and Texas; weekends of NASCAR races; the Tennessee Volunteers; spending time with his beagle, Smokey; and watching westerns with Geraldine and Marie in his later years.
The family will receive family and friends at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019. The funeral service will follow at 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Longmire officiating.
Interment will be on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. in GreeneLawn Memory Gardens. Family and friends are asked to meet at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2019 to go in procession to the cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Southerland, Alfred Southerland, Mickey Slimp, Billy Willocks, Kevin Fielden, and Jacob Fielden.
Honorary pallbearers are Bill Hunt, Larry Hunt, Kevin Slimp, Barton Slimp, Benny Ware, Bobby Reed, and Roger Reed.
