James "Jim" "Bing" Dale Brockman

James “Jim” “Bing” Brockman, age 68, of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, April 29, 2019 at Williamson Medical Center, in Franklin, Tennessee.

Jim was born on July 17, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Wilford and Katherine Cox Brockman. He was raised on a family farm in Franklin, Indiana helping his dad raise cattle and grow crops. Giving up a full golf scholarship to Indiana University, he instead enrolled in and graduated from the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint, Michigan. During his college tenure at GMI, he met Rita Bishop. They married on November 14, 1970 and began their life journey together.

Over the years, he worked in several industries, from co-owning a burial vault company with his uncle, to owning and managing several different restaurants. His final adventure was owning a landscaping company in Franklin, Tennessee.

In 1973, they moved south, to Nashville, Tennessee for the first time for Jim’s job and found “home”. They were to move several times over the years, living in California, Tennessee again, South Florida, and Atlanta. In 2001, they finally landed back “home” in Franklin.

Jim was a very family oriented man, enjoying being involved in his children’s school and sports. He loved practicing with the kids to hone their skills. However, he was best known for being their advocate on the field, often arguing with the umpire’s calls, very loudly. While embarrassing to the kids at the time, it became a very fond memory.

His daughter moved to Europe after graduating college, and Jim gave her the freedom and space to do so. After she began her own family, she moved back to the US, and located close to her parents. Jim greatly enjoyed the time spent with the grandchildren and getting close to them. His son, Jon, stayed close to home and throughout the years has been an unwavering support to the entire family, always willing to lend a hand.

Jim and Rita came back to live and work in Franklin so that their oldest daughter, Jenny, could enroll in BrightStone. BrightStone is an organization that helps adults with disabilities live, work, and thrive. It provides a comprehensive work, social support, and future residential community for adults with special needs and allowing them to expand their potential. Ultimately, helping these adults to develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Jim worked tirelessly raising funds for BrightStone, with Rita, spearheading the Songwriter’s nights that have become a great revenue source for the organization.

Additionally, his family’s dedication extended beyond his immediate family to his sister, Bitsy and sister-in-law, Mary Ann. Both ladies adored him and were part of his care-giving team during his last years when illness set in. His sister, Bitsy, was especially adoring of her brother and they had a very close relationship.

Jim is survived by his loving wife: Rita Brockman; children: Jenny Brockman, Laura Hill (nee Brockman) and husband Roddy Hill, and Jon Brockman; beloved grandchildren: Owen and Ella; and sister: Elizabeth “Bitsy” Brockman.

The family will celebrate Jim’s life with a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at the BrightStone 140 SE Parkway Court, Franklin, TN 37064

Williams Funeral Home, in Columbia, is assisting the family with the arrangements and condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com . In lieu of flowers, Jim has requested donations be made to BrightStone in honor of his memory. www.brightstone.org/donate/give-now/