1922
James
2009
James Burton Shearin
August 7, 1922 — October 3, 2009
James Burton Shearin, 87, died at his home in Bolivar on October 3, 2009.
He was born on the family farm near Bolivar on August 7, 1922, to Samuel Arthur and Pearl Ferrell Shearin. As a boy he worked on the farm and sold sweet potatoes, eggs, minnows, and crops to help the family through the depression. In high school he survived a near-fatal case of pneumonia and in his senior year of 1940 was named the Tennessee Future Farmer of the Year. He was the last surviving male member of his class.
Following high school graduation, Shearin attended the University of Tennessee at Martin for a year and worked variously as a logger, farmer and casket maker in Bolivar and Memphis.
He married Peggy Crawford of Middleton on July 10, 1943. Shortly thereafter he entered the Air Force, where he served as a B-17 and B-29 navigator and attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Following the war, he returned to Memphis and sold insurance. In 1949 he returned to Bolivar to begin a farming career. He also worked as an agricultural advisor for the state, teaching returning service men how to farm.
In 1951 Shearin began 15 years as manager of the Big Bend Ranch--also known as the Michael Farm--on Hornsby Loop Road. In 1961 he and partner Martin Stallings launched Bolivar Sand Company. He eventually became and remained sole owner until the company ceased operations in 2000. In 1964 he became superintendent of the Hardeman County Golf and Country Club, located on the family farm, and remained in this position until 1974. Later he built the Grand Valley Lakes golf course. During this time he also became increasingly involved in real estate development.
He was a past president of Bolivar Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He worked with Governor Winfield Dunn, Senator John Wilder and others to help build a better Tennessee. He also was sought out and appreciated for his knowledge of local history.
Shearin spent his last years pursuing personal and family interests. He and his wife Peggy traveled around the world and spent their retirement winters together in Florida. He attended church with her throughout their 63 years of marriage and rendered loving care to her in the years preceding her death in 2006.
He is survived by son Arthur and wife Sheri of Searcy, AR; son Michael and wife Nita of Bolivar; and daughter Rosemarie and husband David House of Frisco, TX; six grandchildren, Scott and wife Mikki Shearin of Danville, IN, Elizabeth and husband Daniel Thomason of Cabot, AR, Ashley House of Frisco, TX and Andy House of College Station, TX; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was born on the family farm near Bolivar on August 7, 1922, to Samuel Arthur and Pearl Ferrell Shearin. As a boy he worked on the farm and sold sweet potatoes, eggs, minnows, and crops to help the family through the depression. In high school he survived a near-fatal case of pneumonia and in his senior year of 1940 was named the Tennessee Future Farmer of the Year. He was the last surviving male member of his class.
Following high school graduation, Shearin attended the University of Tennessee at Martin for a year and worked variously as a logger, farmer and casket maker in Bolivar and Memphis.
He married Peggy Crawford of Middleton on July 10, 1943. Shortly thereafter he entered the Air Force, where he served as a B-17 and B-29 navigator and attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Following the war, he returned to Memphis and sold insurance. In 1949 he returned to Bolivar to begin a farming career. He also worked as an agricultural advisor for the state, teaching returning service men how to farm.
In 1951 Shearin began 15 years as manager of the Big Bend Ranch--also known as the Michael Farm--on Hornsby Loop Road. In 1961 he and partner Martin Stallings launched Bolivar Sand Company. He eventually became and remained sole owner until the company ceased operations in 2000. In 1964 he became superintendent of the Hardeman County Golf and Country Club, located on the family farm, and remained in this position until 1974. Later he built the Grand Valley Lakes golf course. During this time he also became increasingly involved in real estate development.
He was a past president of Bolivar Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He worked with Governor Winfield Dunn, Senator John Wilder and others to help build a better Tennessee. He also was sought out and appreciated for his knowledge of local history.
Shearin spent his last years pursuing personal and family interests. He and his wife Peggy traveled around the world and spent their retirement winters together in Florida. He attended church with her throughout their 63 years of marriage and rendered loving care to her in the years preceding her death in 2006.
He is survived by son Arthur and wife Sheri of Searcy, AR; son Michael and wife Nita of Bolivar; and daughter Rosemarie and husband David House of Frisco, TX; six grandchildren, Scott and wife Mikki Shearin of Danville, IN, Elizabeth and husband Daniel Thomason of Cabot, AR, Ashley House of Frisco, TX and Andy House of College Station, TX; and eight great-grandchildren.
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