EDSEL FORD JAMES, age 86, of Murfreesboro, passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. He was a native of Humphreys County, TN and the son of the late Jimmy Coleman and Mary Ethel Stringer James. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Elsie and Edna, and brothers, Carl, Gene, and Floyd. Funeral services will be 10:30 am Friday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel, Dr. Fred Hembree, Rev. George Jones and Dr. Jim Clardy will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alice Ryan James, sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Debi James, Tim and Tara James, Mark and Tammye James all of Murfreesboro, daughter and son-in-law: Patsy and Harold Sanders of McEwen, TN, brothers, Johnny James of New Johnsonville, Dana James of Tulsa, JC James of Hendersonville, Lloyd James of Little Rock and ten grandchildren. At 16, Edsel joined the United States Army and served his country for 4 years. Upon returning to Humphreys County, he taught school before taking the position as business relations manager at Commerce Union Bank in Nashville. Tiring of the travel and ever the self-starter, Edsel set his sights on bigger things and opened the first Datsun (Nissan) dealership in the middle Tennessee area. After years of success, he sold his automobile dealership and opened up the Edsel James Insurance Agency. Representing companies such as USF&G and Travelers, Edsel once again started from scratch, and with hard work and sheer determination, he turned his agency into one of the biggest in the area. He eventually sold his agency to attempt to do what few would risk; to turn a hobby into a profession. Always motivated by humble beginnings and the overwhelming desire to provide a better life for his family, Edsel confidently opened the Three Ten Pipe and Tobacco Shop on Main Street. Having been an avid pipe collector his entire life, he displayed his pipes, created his own blend of tobaccos and once again turned a start up business into a successful one man show. The number one collector in the world of the Dunhill pipe, he eventually became known as Mr. Dunhill. The shop remained a staple of the small business community for over 30 years. Edsel was an avid gardener, an excellent carpenter, and a long time Sunday School teacher at St. Marks United Methodist Church. A 32nd degree Mason and a fifty year member of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, he was also a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge in McEwen, Tennessee. He was a loving father and husband and will be missed by all. Pallbearers will be Trevor James, Justin James, Michael James, David Harris, Wayne Richman and Gary Ryan. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Wrather, Boyd Cherry, Frank Essex, Robert Adams and Paul Givens. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00pm Thursday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. 615-893-5151, www.woodfinchapel.com