James "Jim" Clinton Brewer

James "Jim" Clinton Brewer, a longtime banker and businessman in the Knoxville community, passed away on May 19, 2025, at his home with family by his side after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 79. Jim was born on March 2, 1946, in Connecticut and spent his formative years growing up in Algiers, Louisiana. He attended Louisiana State University where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. His time at college began a lifelong love affair with LSU sports. Jim could be found on football Saturdays watching the LSU Tigers playing on the gridiron, and he made several trips back to Baton Rouge during his life to see the Tigers play in Death Valley. LSU's national titles in football and baseball received prolonged celebrations in the Brewers’ Knoxville home, and Jim could be found wearing LSU purple and gold proudly around town. Jim finished his education at the University of Memphis where he met and fell in love with his wife of 55 years, Cheri. They were married in 1970 and began their family there just off the University of Memphis campus. Jim also began his banking career in Memphis, moving his family to Knoxville shortly thereafter. The focus of Jim's life was his four children who attended the Webb School of Knoxville and Farragut High School. Jim and Cheri could always be found on the sidelines, in the stands, and at school events over the years supporting their children. He was also immensely proud of his grandchildren and would speak of their accomplishments and abilities to anyone who would listen. The thing Jim enjoyed most was family and having a house full of people, specifically large Thanksgiving celebrations. Those gatherings were open to more than just family, with many friends of his children and relatives finding their way to the Brewer home when they wanted a welcoming place to spend the holiday. He also loved the Christmas holidays and notoriously spoiled his children with gifts during their childhoods. Jim enjoyed a lifelong love of books, film, and music which he passed on to his children, nieces, and nephews through gifts and recommendations. His book and movie collections were legendarily large, and he liked to share them with others. He also enjoyed recreational shooting as a hobby. He was also well-known to members of the Knoxville music community. Through his son’s involvement in the Knoxville music scene, the downstairs of the Brewers' West Knoxville home became a practice space and epicenter of activity for local musicians. Many still remember his support and hospitality fondly. Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother, Clinton and Helen Brewer, brother Nick Misenti, father and mother in-law Jack and June Crigger, brother in-law Terry Crigger, and best friend and fraternity brother Don DiLosa. Jim is survived by his wife Cheri Brewer, his children Clint Brewer (Amy), Chris Brewer (Stacy), Mandy Brabham (Richie), and Paul Brewer (Holly) and grandchildren Emma Brewer, Davis Brewer, Mary Helen Brabham, Lawson Brewer, Elena Brewer, Edward Brabham, William Brewer, and James Brewer as well as several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to one of Jim’s favorite charities: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation . Services will be held on June 21 at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Farragut, at 2:00 pm.

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James "Jim" Clinton Brewer

March 2, 1946 - May 19, 2025