Speck Funeral Home - James D. McAlpin

Graveside services for James Denton McAlpin, age 91 of Livingston, will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Holly Springs Cemetery. His son, Chuck McAlpin will officiate. The family will welcome friends at the graveside. Military honors will be provided at graveside by the Overton County Veteran's Honor Guard.

James passed from this life on December 15, 2020, from Northcrest Medical Center in Springfield.  He was born in Wingo, Kentucky on January 23, 1929, to the late Charlie Herbert and Zona Bea (Denton) McAlpin. He married Geneva “Trix” Holman on February 18, 1954. They were married 62 years prior to her death in 2016.  He signed on with the company that was installing the new high voltage power lines when he was 16 and traveled across several states with that crew. James served our country in Korea with the First Calvary Division. After leaving the Army, he went north for work like many did. He became reacquainted with a girl from Livingston while working in Anderson, Indiana. He brought her home one weekend and they just “started driving north” until they found a Justice of the Peace to perform their marriage. James was known for being an outdoor enthusiast. He loved to complete the outdoor chores around the house. He had farm animals most of the time until his later years. He liked to have a few cows, a couple of hogs, and a pony or two around to take care of. Of course, his favorite outdoor activity was his gardens. He always had a large garden for most of his married life. He enjoyed preparing the land, working in the garden, raising a variety of vegetables, and, most of all, sharing the items he raised with family, neighbors, and his church family. He would often involve his grandchildren in the garden. They loved to ride the plow when he would dig sweet potatoes. His church life was especially important to him. He seldom ever missed a service, taught many classes over the years, and he served as a deacon and as an elder for the Northridge Church of Christ in Dayton, Ohio. After retirement, he returned to Livingston and attended both the Holly Springs Church of Christ and the Walnut Grove Church of Christ. He always enjoyed having family around and cherished those times together.

Mr. McAlpin leaves behind his children Jamie (Sue) McAlpin of Livingston, Laura (Royce) Harbin of Springfield, and Chuck (Julie) McAlpin of Cookeville; 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and a sister Wilma (Kenny) Loggins of Cookeville.  

In addition to his wife and parents, James was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Mildred Palk, Helen Davis, and Anna Dean Brady and 3 brothers, Nolen, Harold, and Donald McAlpin.

Pallbearers to serve are Kavan, Erik, and Josh McAlpin, Bruce and Ben Harbin, Shawn Burdette, Matt Smith, Jason Fitzgerald, and Shaun Tyson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Holly Springs Cemetery Fund.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that all guests wear masks and practice social distancing throughout the services.  We thank you for your cooperation. 

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