James Dolan Tracy

James Dolan Tracy, age 69, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, passed from this life on July 3, 2026, at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro.
Jim was born on October 9, 1956, to the late James and Betty Tracy in Jackson, Tennessee.
Jim was raised in Hardin County and graduated from Savannah Central High School, Class of 1974. He was a standout two-sport athlete for the Tigers in both football and baseball throughout high school, leading to a stellar baseball career as a starting pitcher for both Freed-Hardeman College and the University of Tennessee at Martin. He earned his degree in Agriculture Education from UT-Martin.
Soon after, he began his six-year career as a high school coach and a teacher. “Coach Tracy” is still fondly remembered by his players at Southeast Whitfield in Dalton, Georgia, Mobile Christian in Mobile, Alabama, and Columbia Academy in Columbia, Tennessee.
Jim then settled in as a highly successful insurance agent, eventually owning and operating his own insurance company for Nationwide Insurance in Shelbyville, Tennessee. For more than 20 years, he sold all lines of insurance and made strong connections with people from all over the middle Tennessee area. Meanwhile, he stayed busy in his free time pursuing his passion of officiating high school basketball, traveling all over the midstate and thoroughly enjoying his interactions with coaches and players. He went on to officiate junior college and Division I basketball all across the southeast.
Jim continually served and stayed involved in the Shelbyville community. He served as a Bedford County Board of Education member and chairman, President of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, founding member of the Bedford County Economic Development and Tourism committee, and Chairman of the Tennessee Leadership Council of the National Federation of Independent Business.
In November 2004, Jim made his historical entry into Tennessee state politics, winning the State Senate election in the 16th district. He would go on to serve eight years as State Senator for the 16th district, representing Rutherford, Bedford, and Moore County, and five years as State Senator for the 14th district, representing Rutherford, Bedford, Moore, Lincoln, and Marshall County. He served as Assistant Floor Leader of the Senate Republican Caucus, the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, and a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate State and Local Government Committee. He also served as Speaker Pro Tempore under Lt. Governor and Speaker of the Senate Randy McNally. Additionally, he was a very popular U.S. Congressional candidate in both the 2010 and 2014 Republican primaries. He later was honored to serve under President Donald J. Trump as the Tennessee State Director of USDA Rural Development.
In his free time, Jim also enjoyed golfing, running/walking, attending local events, quail hunting, spending time with his family and especially his grandkids, and University of Tennessee and Middle Tennessee State University athletics. He loved being outdoors and always enjoyed meeting all the great people across the state. His relationships span all 95 of Tennessee’s counties and his public service will forever be legendary.
Jim was a lifelong faithful Christian, a loving husband, a devoted family man, a proud father and grandfather, and a treasured friend to many.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Trena Ludke Tracy; his sons, Chad (Heather) Tracy of Auburn, Alabama, Craig Tracy of Shelbyville, and Connor (Gracie) Tracy of Knoxville, Tennessee; and three grandchildren: Will, Mitch, and Ryn. He is also survived by his brother Steve of Lebanon, Tennessee.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the North Boulevard Church of Christ in Murfreesboro with Brother Tony Holt officiating. Burial followed at Rosebank Cemetery in Flat Creek, Tennessee with Russ Countess Officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Shelbyville Firefighter Foundation (111 Lane Parkway, Shelbyville, TN 37160), or to Special Kids Inc (2132 E Main St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130).
Doak Funeral Home is serving the family.
www.doakfh.com