A legendary and beloved Crossville radio personality has passed away.  80 year-old Jim Hamby, known for his down-home type humor and wit, was the morning radio voice Cumberland County woke up to in the 1950’s, 60,s and into the 70’s. Jim was also an electronics wizard among many other talents and helped to put on the very first radio station in Crossville in 1952 – WAEW-AM.  He was the voice for WAEW for many years before moving to WCSV-AM in the late 60’s.  His morning show, Mornin’ on the Mountain, was very popular with all the local radio listeners.  He could be found at the local eateries after his morning show and would sit and talk with anyone about anything.  After retiring from radio in the 80’s, Jim turned to another amazing talent he possessed, making beautiful jewelry.  Services for Jim will be Sunday December 11th at Hood Funeral Home.  Visitation will be from Noon till 2 Sunday with Services at 2pm.

THE OFFICIAL OBITUARY FROM HOOD FUNERAL HOME:

JAMES “JIM” VESTAL HAMBY age 80 of Crossville, TN passed away December 8, 2016. He was born September 4, 1936 in Cumberland County, TN the son of James Lawrence and Jessie Margaret Redwine Hamby. Jim was well known for his 37 years as a radio announcer and engineer with WAEW, WCSV and WATE-TV.  He rode a bus to Atlanta at the age of 16 to take engineering, taking all three test in one day and rode back home. He will also be remembered for playing music in the movie, Woorley Gig of Life. He was an avid wine maker and jeweler as well as a cabinet maker. He also studied Native American Culture.

He is survived by his wife- Mary Evelyn Hamby of Crossville, TN, son- James Robert “Jim” Hamby and his wife Kathy of Crossville, TN, daughter- Elna Rose Hamby Sabine and her husband Jay of Crossville, TN, grandchildren- tiffany Melton, Jacqueline Hamby, Summer Hamby, Rebecca Dawn Johnson and James Josh Huff and great grandson- Easton Melton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers- Cliff and Bruce Hamby.

Funeral services will be held Sunday December 11, 2016 at 2pm from the Chapel of Hood Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 12-2pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Grassy Cove Cemetery.