James Taylor Tapscott (Jim) died after a brief illness on September 9, a few days before what would have been his 87th birthday. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, the 15th of September at 11 a.m.at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, in Columbus, Georgia.

Jim was born in Richmond, Virginia, September 12th, 1931, the son of Jeanette Kirkwood Tapscott and Kenneth Arthur Tapscott. When Jim was eight, his father died and his mother moved with him and his two brothers, to live in Selma, Alabama. In high school, Jim played both basketball and football; he was an avid reader and a music lover, which continued throughout his life. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1952. He attended Auburn University and studied accounting. He obtained his CPA certification.

In 1966, he came to Columbus, where he was employed by Columbus Mills Inc., and worked there for 33 years, serving eventually as its Chief Financial Officer. He enjoyed his relationship with his co-workers and became fast friends with many of them.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Katharine Johnson Tapscott; by his elder brother Doug; and by his identical twin brother Jack. He is survived by his son, Ken, his daughter, Kate Tinkler (her husband Todd); and his daughter Anne Noll LeBlanc (husband Eddie LeBlanc), and by his three grandchildren, Taylor, Katie, and Will Noll; and by his companion Evelyn Barton Weisfeld.

At an early age, Jim and his brothers hiked and learned about nature with their father, who was a landscape engineer. As an adult, Jim’s interest in nature and the woods never waned. He hiked regularly on the Appalachian Trail in north Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, as well as all over Pine Mountain, and other areas nearby. After his retirement from Columbus Mills, he visited National Parks all over the country. Like his own father, he handed down his love for the wild spaces to his children and his grandchildren.

The family asks respectfully that, in lieu of flowers, any donations in his memory should be made to the Trust for Public Land, 101 Montgomery Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, California 94104; or to The Nature Conservancy, at 100 Peachtree St., NW, Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia. 30303, or to any other organization dedicated to the preservation of wild or undeveloped lands.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Tapscott family.