James Edwin Birdwell, Jr. age 86 passed away Thursday, December 16, 2010 at his home in Clinton, Tennessee peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born in Chuckey, TN and was the son of the late James E. and Mary E. Birdwell. He was a graduate of McCallie in Chattanooga, TN. While in his freshman year at Hampton Sydney, he was called to serve in the Navy during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater. He then returned to Tennessee and graduated from Tusculum College and also received his Masters degree in Economics from Vanderbilt/Peabody. He was later recalled to the Navy during the Korean Conflict and served in the Middle East and London, England. He retired from the Naval Reserve after a long and distinguished career in the Navy. He retired as a Commander.
He started his banking career in Nashville, TN and continued banking in Norfolk, VA and later moved to Clinton, TN. In Clinton, he was CEO and President of Union Peoples Bank and retired as Vice Chairman of First American Bank.
He was very active in the community. He served on the following boards: Industrial Development, Coal Creek Companies, was chairman of the finance committee of the Methodist Holston conference, on the administrative board of the Methodist Church; serviced on Oak Ridge Hospital Foundation Board and served as president of Civitan.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Marilyn Gibson Birdwell; sons, James E. Birdwell, III & wife Kim of Memphis, Todd G. Birdwell and wife Becky of Knoxville,
daughter, Amy Birdwell Phillips and husband Barry of Memphis; sister, Eleanor White of Columbia, S.C. and 8 grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The celebration of his life will be held Sunday, December 19, 2010 at Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton. The family will receive friends from 3-4PM with the funeral following at 4:00PM. Pastor Laurence Hesser will be officiating. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of the arrangements.