James "Jim" Rewis of El Paso, Texas

October 16, 1938 - February 12, 2020

James Wayne Rewis, 81, of El Paso, passed away suddenly at home early Wednesday morning, February 12, 2020.

James (affectionally known as Pop by family) was born October 16, 1938, in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, where he lived until he graduated from Haylong High School in 1956. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he became an Airborne Ranger, serving in both the 82 ^nd and 101 ^st divisions in Ft. Bragg and Ft. Campbell, respectively. After his service in the Army, he moved back home where he met and married the love of his life of 58 years, Nancy Matthews, in 1962. They soon moved to Nashville so he could attend college, while earning his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from MTSU, their first son (Joe) was born. After graduation from MTSU, James took a job with Westinghouse Corp in Athens, Georgia, where their second son (Jamie) was born. After earning his MBA from the university of Georgia, the family started moving every 2 – 3 years starting in TN, then MO, MI, PA and then eventually his final move to El Paso, Texas, where James helped build and run two manufacturing plants in Juarez, Mexico until his retirement in 1999. During his lifetime, James loved the game of golf. After his retirement, he played golf three times per week eventually joining two groups of retirees known as the Old Timers and Prime of Life Players. He also enjoyed traveling as much as he possibly could including several cruises from multiple ports. He was a huge fan of UTEP sports, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Dallas Cowboys. He was a devoted family man and the glue that kept everyone together. His greatest joy in later life was spending time with his five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents John Lakeland Rewis and Margaret Hartzog, and siblings Betty Modrall and John Lakeland Rewis, Jr., He is survived by his loving wife Nancy Rewis, sister Jean Meadows, sons Joseph Rewis (Lori Rewis), James Rewis Jr, grandchildren Ashlee Camerano (Ian Camerano), John Rewis, Jackson Rewis, Kaitlyn Rewis (Michael Barrozo), Kory Rewis and great-grandchildren Ella, Owen, Quinn and Ryan.

A celebration of life service will be on held Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 12PM with a visitation from 11AM-12PM at Heritage Funeral Home located at 609 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at 2222 Welborn St, Dallas, TX 75219, over the phone 214-559-7650 or scottishriteforchildren.org.

Light snacks will be served immediately after the celebration of life, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 311 West 7 ^th Street, Columbia, TN 38401.