Father and son James and J.J. Potts spend as much time together as they can. The two often play sports, hunt and fish together.

THOMASVILLE — Sometimes all it takes to be a father is to simply have lunch with your child.

Such an act is only the tip of fatherhood for James Potts, however..

Potts and his son James, who goes by “J.J.,” spend all the time they can together. During the school year, James eats lunch with his son, a rising Thomas County Middle School sixth grader, at least once a week.

“My job allows me, where I am pretty flexible, and if I am in town, I definitely go up there and eat lunch with him,” James said.

James is a sales representative for a manufacturer tof powered wheelchairs. Because of his job, he travels a lot. Although being on the road frequently is tough, he adjusts his schedule when he can. In addition to lunch, the Pottses spend a lot of time together when James gets home from work.

During their weekly lunch, James gets to meets all of J.J.’s friends. This enables him to be sure his son is involved with a solid group. He said J.J.’s friends like him and he likes them.

“It’s cool and fun, and I like when my dad comes up there and eats with me,” J.J. said.

“I’ve eaten with him when he first started going [to kindergarten] and my plan is to eat with him all throughout school … and when he is in college, I’ll come eat with him in college,” James said.

Along with his presence at the lunch table, James also volunteers at Thomas County Middle School.

“Whatever they need me to do, I will help them do,” James said.

When the father and son aren’t together in the school cafeteria, they often spend time together outside. The two hunt, fish and fix things together. They also play sports, everything from baseball and football to cross country.

J.J. recounted the last time he and his dad did cross country together.

“He said he was going to beat me. He was in like last place and I was in first,” J.J. said.

“I had the old man cramp,” James joked.

The father and son strengthen their bond with each sport they play, each minute they spend outside together and each school lunch the two share.

“He’s my life,” James said. “I can’t imagine anything without him.”

“He’s awesome,” J.J. said.