Jimmy Ray (J.R.) Brock, 83, of Cowan, Tennessee, passed away May 21, 2012 after an extended illness. Jimmy was born on September 16, 1928 to Mary Louise Sublett and Roy H. Brock, Sr. After graduating from the Sewanee Military Academy in 1947, he pursued a career in the oil industry, working first as a consignee for Texaco Oil and later as owner of Brock Oil Company in Cowan. He was also employed by the Franklin County School System as a special education bus driver for over 20 years until his retirement in 2009. Jimmy was active in the Cowan community. In the early 1960s, he was instrumental in helping unite the local Methodist and Presbyterian congregations into the Cowan Fellowship Church. There, he would delight the congregations each Sunday with his powerful tenor voice, and he remained an active member until his recent illness and death. He also served as mayor of Cowan from 1964 to 1966 and also as city recorder. Jimmy was a loving husband to his wife Virginia for 59 years and a devoted father to his four children and their families. In addition, he and his wife Virginia shared a passion for genealogy, Franklin County history, and gardening. Jimmy is survived by his son Edward Warner Brock and his wife Sherry, of Cowan, and their children Maribeth Brock, James Sargent Brock, and Lauren Warner Brock; son Timothy Ray Brock, of Tullahoma, and his children Adam Bryant Brock, Matthew Paul and wife Jill Brock, and Sarah Kathryn Brock; daughter Ruth Brock Gardner, of Louisville, Kentucky, and her children Marian Virginia Gardner, Paul Brock Gardner, Samuel Dean Gardner, and grandchildren Bradley Michael James Gardner and Audrey Sophia Louise Gardner; daughter Kathleen Brock Huntsberry and husband Charles, of Gallatin, Tennessee, and their children Virginia Grace Huntsberry, Emily Kathleen Huntsberry, and James McKown Huntsberry; and brother Frank W. Brock and wife Elizabeth of Cowan. In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife Virginia McKown Brock, brothers William E. Brock and Roy H. Brock, Jr, and his grandson Craig McKown Brock. Visitation with the family will be held at the Cowan Fellowship Church on Saturday, May 26 beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of life and memorial service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Brock requested that donations be made to the Cowan Fellowship Church.