Raymond “R.C.” James
April 7, 2015
Date of Service: April 12, 2015
Interment Location: Garden of Devotion
Raymond C. “R.C.” James, age 79, of Lenoir, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Gateway Rehab and Healthcare Center, after a short period of declining health. R.C. was born on July 30, 1935 in Carter County, Tennessee to the late Clarence and Edna Norman James. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John “Cagney” James and Herman Tate James; and a son, Dr. Gary James.
R.C. graduated from Elizabethton High School. He worked at his family business, as proprietor of James Manufacturing Company and Sta-Green Nursery. R.C. was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and travel. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, Doe Valley Sportsman Association, North Carolina and Tennessee Bear Hunters Associations, where he was inducted into the Tennessee Bear Hunter’s Hall of Fame in 2011 and Caldwell County Nurseryman’s Association.
R.C. will be remembered by his family for his loving manner and his willingness to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He has entertained many with his bear hunting tales, his quick wit and great sense of humor. He has been an inspiration to many through his hard work and generosity. His life was dedicated to animals and nature.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Janey Bolick James, Lenoir, NC; a son, Timothy Douglas James, Lenoir, NC, whom he affectionately nicknamed “Tadpole”, a daughter, Ramona James Houston, Johnson City, TN; a stepdaughter, Carrie A. Gentry, Lenoir NC; a sister, Lou Ellen James Goodwin, Hickory, NC; two nephews, Tim Butler, Nashville, TN and Casey Goodwin, Raleigh, NC; and two nieces, Wendy Goodwin Curtis, Hickory, NC and Tammy Reinhart, Viera, FL. He will be missed by his family, hunting buddies, co-workers and many friends and business associates.
A service to honor the life of “R.C.” James will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2015 in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, TN. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Sunday.
The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Ross Arnold, Brandon Vines, Allen Smith, Woody Crowder, Harold Phillippi, Roby Phillippi, Jewell Williams, Lynn Coffey, Benny Norman, Dave Holtsclaw and Raymond Holtsclaw. Honorary pallbearers will be Members of the Doe Valley Sportsman Association, Tennessee and North Carolina Bear hunter’s Association, and members of the Caldwell County Nurseymen’s Association.
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, may make donations to the Doe Valley Sportsman Association, C/O Roby Phillippi, 1199 Sundowner Road, Mountain City, TN 37687; or Union Grove Baptist Church Prayer Garden Memorial Fund, 1808 Union Grove Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.
The family would like to express their appreciation to their friends, family, ministers and caregivers who have been so supportive during R.C.’s illness. May God bless us all during this difficult time.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton is serving the James family. Office 423 542-2232, Obituary line 543-4917.
