James Ainsworth Effinger, 69, of Salisbury, passed away Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 at his residence. Born Aug. 2, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio, he was a son of the late Paul Effinger and Doris Thomson Effinger. He was a 1964 graduate of Berea High School, Berea, Ohio and a graduate of Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio with an associate degree in applied science. He served in the Merchant Marines working on lake freighters on the Great Lakes for three years, and was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country for six years on nuclear submarines. He was employed with Duke Energy for over 30 years and was owner/operator of Effinger Enterprises since 2004. He was a member of Spencer Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder for nine years, a Sunday school teacher for two years, and sang in the choir for 12 years. He was president of the Bonsai Society of the Carolinas for 15 years. Survivors include his wife, Nancy McNeely Effinger, whom he married Oct. 25, 1998; sons, Paul Effinger and wife Cara of Spencer and William Effinger and wife Tiffany of Charlotte; grandson, Jonah Effinger of Spencer; brother, Paul Effinger of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister, Lynne Schaefer and husband Bill of Tampa, Fla.; nieces, Rachel Schaefer and Shannon Lacey; nephew, Chad Lacey, great-niece, Reagan Lacey; and great-nephew, Logan McNeely. Service and Visitation: The funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 at Spencer Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Barrie Kirby, pastor, officiating and military honors by the Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.