James Wilson Nunn

A passionate outdoorsman, James Wilson Nunn was probably happiest deer hunting, watching film of animals, spending time with Josie, teaching his niece and nephews how to fish, set a trotline or shoot a dove or two, or riding the rural trails he loved. His life ended abruptly around midnight Sunday morning on I-85 when the Jeep Cherokee he was driving was hit from behind by a tractor trailer.

The first-born child of James William and Judith Wilson Nunn, he attended Kay Turnham's nursery school and Mrs. Bottoms' kindergarten, and in first grade at Wright's Mill was advanced to second-grade reading in his first year. He loved reading the rest of his life, particularly the early history of Alabama and its people. He was enrolled at Auburn University but didn't finish his class work.  He became an excellent mechanic and an experienced grader, spending much of his working life on heavy equipment with various companies, the last with the Loachapoka Water Authority.

His acts of kindness could be large, or small like taking family photos to a hospital patient so she wouldn't be alone on a holiday. He was generous both in helping his neighbors or giving to those who had less.  He was quite the storyteller and spent a lifetime learning about the things that interested him most – the land, history, the Indians of Alabama, and planting and harvesting a garden. His keen sense of humor kept us laughing.  The family thanks all of those who loved him. 

He was predeceased by his father, Bill Nunn, and survived by his mother Judith Nunn, his sister Leah Nunn Engelhardt, his brother William Alexander Nunn (Tina) and their children Wilson, Elizabeth and McCall Engelhardt, and Will and Sam Nunn, and his beloved dog Josie.

Some of his happiest years were spent in the loving company of the pastor and congregation of Grace Baptist Church where he was baptized again as an adult. The service will be at that church on Society Hill Road, just down from the Lazy B, at 11 A.M. Thursday, June 20, with burial in Pine Knot Cemetery, next to his great, great, great grandfather William Ira Nunn who arrived in the Auburn area in 1837.  A lunch reception will immediately follow the burial for all who would like to attend at the Nunn-Winston house in Kiesel Park. The Rev. Henry Dawson and his son Tommy will officiate at the service.