James L Harper

James L. Harper, age 95, of Nashville, Tennessee, died on November 14, 2020. He was born in Nashville on March 26, 1925. He was the son of Porter C. Harper and Annie Mai Follis Harper. Jim was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Jo Ann Harper, by his parents, by a brother, Will T. Harper, and by his son-in-law, Richard L. Griffin. He is survived by his daughter, Virginia Harper Griffin, granddaughters Ginger Griffin (Rickey Chenoweth) and Lynne Griffin, and five great grandchildren: Lyndsey, Mason, Brianna, Heather, and, Brayden.

Jim graduated from Columbia Military Academy in 1943 and immediately enlisted in the United State Navy. He volunteered for submarine service and spent the remainder of World War II on war patrol in the western Pacific. After the war, Jim returned home and entered Vanderbilt University, from which he graduated in 1949.

On July 18, 1946, Jim met the love of his life, Jo Ann Criswell, on a blind date arranged by his best friend, John Lassing. Jim and Jo Ann were married on October 1, 1949.

Jim enjoyed a long and successful career in the fields of real estate, appraisal, and finance. During the early years of his career, he worked with his father-in-law at the W. H. Criswell Company. During that time, Jim also attended the YMCA Night Law School (now the Nashville School of Law). After graduating from law school in 1955, Jim passed the Tennessee Bar Examination, and was licensed to practice law in Tennessee. In 1960 he formed Harper-Freeman and Company with his brother-in-law J. R. (Dick) Freeman. During the 1960s, Jim served as president of the Nashville Board of Realtors, president of the Tennessee Association of Realtors, and Regional Vice-President of the National Association of Realtors. In 1966, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan, and for the next 24 years, he served on Fidelity’s board and on the boards its successors: Fidelity Federal Bank and Union Planters National Bank.

In 1970, Jim formed James L. Harper & Associates (later Harper-Maes & Associates), where he continued in real estate brokerage with a primary emphasis on appraisals and counseling for commercial and industrial properties including manufacturing plants, warehouses, retail properties, office buildings, banks, marine, and recreational facilities. His work covered a broad geographic area that including 26 states and many major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Honolulu. By the time he retired in 1995, Jim had earned a reputation as one of America’s most respected experts on property valuation.

Throughout his career, Jim placed an emphasis on professional development, and he earned numerous designations, including membership in the American Institute of Appraisers (MAI designation) and membership in the American Society of Real Estate Counselors (CRE designation).

Jim was also active in many civic and community activities. Most notably, he served on the original board of directors for the Metro Nashville Airport Authority during the years when the former municipal airport was transformed into an economically self-sufficient international airport.

Throughout a long and happy marriage, Jim and Jo Ann traveled extensively, and they loved spending time with family and friends. They were blessed with a loving daughter, a wonderful son-in-law, two grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. And they were longtime members of Belle Meade Methodist Church.

The family wishes to express great appreciation and thanks to sisters Wanda Lee and Jacqueline Goins who provided Jim and Jo Ann with loving care during their last years.

Honorary pallbearers are George Wingett, Philip Russ, Joseph Draper, Ray Tarkington, Scott Ghertner, and all Whitehall neighbors.

Visitation with the family will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park from 11:00 AM until noon on Friday, November 20th. A private family graveside service will follow.