James Richard Hamby, age 93, was born on June 9,1932 to Alvin S. and Pearl Burgess Hamby in Crossville, TN and passed away on August 29, 2025. He was a Crossville native that enjoyed telling stories of Crossville. He worked at Mitchell’s Drug Store and was a devoted family man. James spent his life defending his country in the Air Force after starting out with the National Guard. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. He conducted his life in a strategic, precise, and orderly fashion. He became a Registered Nurse specializing in Psychiatric Nursing. He lived in Colorado for 20 years and enjoyed skiing and all the outdoors. In his older years, he wrote poems, did crossword puzzles, and going to Kroger. He is survived by his children- David Hamby (Sonia) and Richell “Rickie” Hamby Watkins, grandchildren- David James Hamby, Lindsay Becker (Joshua), Alyssa Morgan Weber (Andy), Leslie R Watkins (Laura), Howard L Watkins III “Trey”, and Angela S Ruble (Brandi), and great grandchildren- David Aaron, Anna, Riley, Noah, Chloe, Michaela, Ava, Liam, Lincoln, Taylor, Aiden, Hunter, and Jase. He is preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings. The family will receive friends at Crossville Memorial on September 5, 2025 from 11 to 1 with a service to follow. Pastor Avery Brown will officiate and burial will be in Crossville City Cemetery. The funeral will start with the Nurse Honor Guard and end with Military Honors.