Jimmy Rea Shelby passed away on Friday less than two weeks after being diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He was 75.
Shelby worked as the executive vice president and board member of the Trust Company since 1997. According to his obituary, Shelby's work there established him as one of the most influential wealth advisers in the state.
Those who worked alongside him say he was a wealth of knowledge.
"He knew every answer; he didn't have to look things up in the book. He could tell you the best way to handle something out of experience as well as because he knew what the tax code was. He knew the right way to take care of people and the right way to take care of problems," said Sharon Miller Pryse, president of the Trust Company of Knoxville.
Shelby was an active member in many charitable and civic organizations including United Way of Greater Knoxville, the East Tennessee Historical Society and Great Smoky Mountain Council Boy Scouts of America.
Recently he was honored with a classroom named for him at the Haslam Business Building at the University of Tennessee.
The family will receive friends Monday until 7 p.m. at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 at West Hills Baptist Church.