James Franklin Qualls, Jr., age 77 of Harriman, TN passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday April 15, 2026, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. Jim was a lifelong member of the Harriman United Methodist Church; He was a 1966 graduate of Harriman High School where he was a member of the marching band playing the saxophone. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1971 majoring in Business and Transportation. In 1967 Jim served as a congressional page to Senator Howard H. Baker of Huntsville, TN.
Upon graduation from the University of Tennessee Jim accepted a terminal manager’s position with Home Transportation in Marietta, GA. and in the mid 1970s went to work with his brother in law Sidney T. Stanley at the newly formed Tennessee Steel Haulers in Nashville, TN. Jim served as Vice President/Operations at Tennessee Steel Haulers, and in the early 1990s departed to start J.Q. Transport in Knoxville. Jim continued to represent Tennessee Steel Haulers in East Tennessee, and several other trucking companies. He was very successful with J. Q. Transport and in 1998 left the trucking business to focus on other interests.
Jim was a loving father and grandfather. Jim was preceded in death by his parents J. Frank Qualls and Peggy Qualls Kyker; sister Karen Qualls Reeves; grandparents Robert W. Ball and Virginia Grace Ball; and Lee Andy Qualls.
He is survived by:
Son: Bryan A. Qualls and wife Lisa-Harriman, TN
Granddaughter: Kendra Qualls-Harriman, TN
Grandson: Cooper Qualls-Harriman, TN
Sister: Jeanne S. Winn-Brentwood, TN
Brother: Robert L. Qualls-Knoxville, TN
Niece: Sara Beth Sheehan-Brentwood, TN
Nephews:
Casey Qualls-Chattanooga, TN
Gregg Stanley-Brentwood, TN
Craig Stanley-Brentwood, TN
Interment and graveside services will be held at Roane Memorial Gardens on Thursday April 30, 2026, at 2:00PM. Kyker Funeral Homes in Harriman is serving the Qualls family.
All that knew Jim are invited to attend his memorial service