James "Jim" Scherer

James Francis “Jim” Scherer departed this world December 30, 2024. 

Jim was born February 13, 1936 in Benton, MO to the late Cletus Charles and Celeste Amelia Enderle Scherer, the third of eleven siblings. After highschool, he attended one year of seminary at St. Vincent's Seminary and College in Cape Girardeau and in 1957 he married Patricia Amrhein. He served honorably in the US Army from 1958 - 1960 as a helicopter mechanic stationed in Columbus, GA, while he and Pat started their family. Upon completion of his military service, he & Pat returned to Missouri and their family continued to grow. 

He attended Southeast Missouri State University and proudly completed his degree in Business Administration in only two and a half years, taking classes while working and supporting his wife and young family with a work ethic that he passed on to all his children by his example. To say he was mechanically inclined would be an understatement; he could fix anything from automobiles to appliances. He was an avid gardener known for growing record-sized pumpkins and corn that grew taller than his house! He was a Tennessee Titans fan from the beginning and a founding PSL holder, enjoying many seasons of tailgating and cheering on his home-town team. 

In 1982 Jim took a giant leap of faith. With Pat and his two sons he founded A-1 Appliance Company in Nashville, which he successfully managed until his retirement in 2000, and it remains family-owned and operated today. He also owned & managed rental properties throughout Nashville for many years. Jim was a mentor to many, always eager and willing to advise and encourage others in both their business ventures and in life. He reveled in succeeding at things others said could not be done. 

He loved to travel and was fortunate to see much of the world, including several mission trips to Haiti. He was so moved by the people of Haiti & his experiences there that he helped fund the construction of Visitation Hospital Petite Riviere de Nippes which now provides much needed medical care to the people of Haiti. He was exceedingly generous to the causes that he supported and he was always willing to help someone in need. He was an American patriot, always supportive of our country’s veterans and he was extremely proud to sponsor the Remembering World War II Festival in Linden, TN in September 2018. 

Jim was happiest when he was introducing friends, old and new, to his beloved Natureland Lodge and his surrounding property in Perry County, TN which he fondly referred to as “Paradise”. Whether he was working in his sizable garden, mowing & clearing brush, operating the Kubota, exploring the cave, cutting firewood, or simply observing the abundant wildlife, this most special place was the source of his greatest joy and where he happily resided until his passing. 

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Patricia Scherer; daughters Cindy Scherer (Mike Thompson) and Lori Clark (Alan Clark); sons, Steve Scherer (Rhoda Scherer) and John Scherer (Jerri Green); and grandsons, Carter Clark and Zach Clark. He is also survived by seven siblings; Ruth Anne Cashion, Clara Grider, Celeste Nenninger, Clete Scherer, Harold Scherer, Ann Bond, and Daniel Scherer, and his dear friends Joyce Orrand, Veguer Jean-Jumeau, and special companion and caregiver, Sue Clark. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tom Scherer and Charles Lee Scherer; and sister, Mary Louise Scherer. 

A visitation will be held at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 11:30 am with funeral service to begin at 1:30 pm in the chapel and burial to follow. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to: Visitation Hospital Foundation, PO Box 7976, Carol Stream, IL 60197-7976