Looking back, but moving forward

Evangelist, author, counselor, and motivational speaker James Edward Puckett was born in Hickory Valley, TN, on January 20, 1955.  His parents, farmers Moses and the late Liddie Puckett, of Hickory Valley, were sharecroppers up until the mid 1960s, who worked the fields from sun up to sun down.  It is to them that James credit as the source of his own discipline, integrity, hard work, and self-reliance.  When he became old enough his parents had him in the fields working along beside them.  James says he remember chopping cotton for $3.00 a day in the white man’s field.  He also picked cotton, pulled cotton, picked peas, dug potatoes, picked okra, pulled squash, and plowed the fields using a single plow behind a horse or mule.  James says he even remembers gathering up the bails of hay from the fields and stacking them in the barn.  This was the way of living for the black people during that time in that part of the country. James graduated from Bolivar Central High School in Bolivar, TN in 1973.  After graduating from high school he moved to Milwaukee, WI. where he worked in a plating factory until joining the United States Army in November of 1975. 

His service to his country

James first assignment was in West Germany, where he spent three years. James worked his way up through the enlisted ranks as an automotive and tank mechanic reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6) in 1981.  In 1983 James was accepted to the Warrant Office Candidate School in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.  After graduating with the rank of Warrant Officer One (WO1) in July 1984, he was headed back to West Germany.  James’ 24 years, 9 months, and sixteen days of duty includes: two tours in West Germany, two tours in South Korea, one tour in Okinawa, JP, and many stateside assignments and deployments.  As a Chief Warrant Officer James had multiple assignments which included: from 1983 to 1986 as Battalion Maintenance Technician, West Germany; , 1986 to 1990 as Company Maintenance Technician, Fort Campbell, KY; , from 1990 to 1991 as Senior Battalion Maintenance Technician and Supervisor, South Korea; , from 1991 to 1993 as Senior Maintenance Supervisor and Technician, Fort Story, VA.; , from 1993 to 1996 as Senior Maintenance Supervisor and Technician, Tori Station, Okinawa, JP; , from 1996 to 1999 as Senior Maintenance Trainer and Technician, 278th ACR, Knoxville, TN; , and from 1999 to 2000 as Senior Direct Support Maintenance Supervisor and Technician, 2nd Armored Cavalry, Fort Polk, LA.  Puckett retired from the United States Army at the distinguish rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) in September 2000.  While in the military he earned an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree with a major in Automotive Technology from Austin Peay State University.

Awards: Several military honors, including Legion of Merit;, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award);, Army Commendation Medal (4th award);, Army Achievement Medal;, Korean Defense Service Medal;, and the Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd award). James also earned the Army Air Assault Badge and both wheeled and tracked vehicle machanic badges.

Ministry
Evangelist Puckett was called to preach the gospel in 1996 while serving in Okinawa, JP.  He began fulfilling his call to ministry by preaching his first sermon while stationed in Okinawa and receiving his certificate of license to preach and conduct ministry.  Since that time he has conducted and served in countless ministries including prison, nursing home ministry, and small groups ministries. 

As a renowned religious author, Evangelist Puckett has 8 books to his credit.  His work has been featured in major newspapers, appeared on local television programs, and he has been on local Christian radio broadcasts.  His top five nonfiction bestsellers are: “Keeping Your Mind Renewed”, ; “Fighting Fear With Faith”, ; “Denying One’s Self in a Selfish World”, ; “24/7 Success: Living a Lifetime of Success”, written for teens and young adults, ; and "When The Boss Is Not Looking", a book dealing with employees work ethics and character in the workplace.  James has conducted book signing at several major military installations throughout the southeast United States.  He also does public speaking when the opportunity becomes available.   James holds a Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Omega Bible Institute and Seminary and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University Theological Seminary, Liberty University.     

Began Working for Public Schools

After retiring from the military in 2000, James went to work for Knox County Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee working with children with special needs.  James admits that he never planned to take on such responsibility after nearly 25 years of military service, but he was looking for something challenging and self-fulfilling.  James says this job offers both and a lot more.  James realizes that he contributes a lot to his job but says what he does is more of a blessing to him than he is to the job.  After seven years in special education, James has now taken on the challenge of a school security officer in a local public high school.  

James Puckett has dedicated his life to the service of his county.  As a soldier, Puckett demonstrated a firm commitment to protecting his county and securing a world where democratic values can flourish.  He is now dedicating himself to ministry, and America’s future - her children.  Evangelist Puckett has three children and four grandchildren.  He resides in Knoxville, Tennessee with his wife Brenda.