James Ross Potter

Born: March 3, 1939

Died: May 18, 2014

Location: Brevard, North Carolina

James Ross (Jim) Potter left this life peacefully on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at his home in Connestee Falls after battling cancer for nearly two years. His wife Judy and daughter Julie were with him when he died.

Jim was born on March 3, 1939 in St. Johns, Michigan, the only child of Joseph Ross Potter and Waneda Courser Potter. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Judith (Bodkin) Potter; daughter Julia Anne Kennedy (Tim) of Salisbury, North Carolina; step-daughters Mary Brackett (Carl) of Charlottesville, Virginia and Joanna Amato (Chris) of Asheville, North Carolina; as well as ten grandchildren and three great-grandsons. Jim was a graduate of Lansing (Michigan) Eastern High School where he and Judy were high school sweethearts. He attended Michigan State University and played clarinet in the MSU Marching Band. Jim later did graduate work at Duke University and became a life-long fan of Duke basketball. His career included management positions with North Electric Company, Data General Corporation and ITT. He retired from ITT in 1999 after serving as Director of Facilities.

Jim's passion was restoring classic automobiles, and he was an avid NASCAR and Formula One racing fan. He enjoyed classic country music and the Big Bands, especially Glenn Miller. After he retired, he and Judy relocated to Connestee Falls. Jim served on the Board of Directors for the Connestee Falls Property Owners Association, was active in the Connestee Amateur Theatre Society and participated in Readers Theater. Jim was scheduled to direct a play at Brevard Little Theater this fall.

He was a member of the Dixie Oldsmobile Club and entered his restored 1962 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible in the fall 2013 club show, where his '62 Olds was a prizewinner in its category.

Jim loved to travel and was an excellent photographer, recording the many trips he and Judy took in the United States and abroad. He was also a talented artist who worked in watercolors. Every room in the home he and Judy shared reflects his ability to enhance interior spaces.

Jim Potter was a creative, gracious and generous man who loved a challenge and was a master problem solver. His family and friends will forever cherish his memory.

In accordance with Jim's wishes, a private memorial service for the family will be held at Moore Funeral Home. On Saturday, June 21 at 11 a.m. a celebration of Jim's life will take place at Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church where his family and many friends can gather to share their memories of this good man.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Jim's memory may contribute to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC., 27513