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KNOXVILLE — James “Jim” Presnell Larkin, 76, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2022. He was a member of Fountain City United Methodist Church.
Jim was born in Morristown, Tenn., on May 9, 1945. His family moved to Elizabethton, Tenn., in the early 1950s when his father and uncle, Bill Larkin, started Larkin Bread Company, Inc. He attended Elizabethton High School and East TN State University. Jim also served in the TN National Guard. He retired from Ryder Systems and then began a second career with Bill Rogers Buick followed by Rice Olds. Being the car enthusiast that he was, Jim loved meeting customers and discussing cars. He had many interests including Lionel Trains, model railroading (building his own layout), photography, sports cars, tennis, and golf. Jim was a great dad to John and Susan. He was all about family, everything else came second.
Jim was preceded in death by infant daughter; parents, Jesse and Virginia Larkin; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wesley and Oma Richardson; sister and brother-in-law, Carol Ann and Larry Robinson; niece, Pam Oatman; aunt, Pearl Dyer; aunt and uncle, Macy and Jay Mitchell; uncle and aunt, Bill and Geneva Larkin.
Jim is survived by wife, Linda K. Larkin; son and daughter-in-law, John P. and Sonia S. Larkin; daughter and son-in-law, Susan K. and Michael L. Brown; grandchildren, Lindsey K. Brown, Laura E. Brown, Savannah B. Larkin, Corey B. Larkin; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn R. Miller; and cousin, Billy Larkin.
The family will receive friends Saturday, April 9, from 1 until 2:30 p.m. at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home with a graveside service immediately following at Greenwood Cemetery on Tazewell Pike with Senior Pastor, Don Hanshew, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fountain City United Methodist Church, East TN Children’s Hospital, or Young Williams Animal Center. A special thanks and appreciation to the wonderful nurses and staff at UT Hospital, UT Hospice Team, West Hills Nursing Facility Hospice Floor, and our wonderful neighbors for the kindness they have shown.
Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 W. Adair Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918 (865) 689-8888. Condolences may be offered at www.berrylynnhurst.com.