James Bronson Whiteside, Jr.
January 19, 1956 ~ August 16, 2026
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailJames Bronson Whiteside, Jr., 70, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026. James’ final gift to others was serving as an organ donor.
An Asheville native, James was the son of the late James Bronson, Sr., and Lillie Louise Metcalf Whiteside. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Alice Madden; and niece, Bethany Rae Blair.
James graduated from Enka High School, Class of 1974. He retired from GBS Building Supply as their store manager. He was an active member of Biltmore Church. He found joy in volunteering for the Veterans Restoration Quarters and was active with the Hominy #491 Masonic Lodge, serving as a Past Master and as their current Treasurer. James loved the UNC Tar Heels, instilling that love in his children. He enjoyed coaching Hominy Valley youth baseball and basketball, was a skilled woodworker, and loved cooking and grilling for others.
James’ family will remember him as a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Harvey Whiteside; daughter, Brooke Smith (Alan); sons, Bronson Whiteside, III (Crystal), and Tildon Whiteside (Arlene); step-daughter, Stephanie Frampton (Iain); grandchildren, Brady and Levi Smith, Alyssa and Jenna Whiteside, and Damian and Charles Whiteside; and sister, Kathy Blair (Jimmy Dean Blair).
His family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. The memorial service will follow at 6:00 p.m. Pastor Kelvin Moseley, Biltmore Church, will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565, or to the ABCCM Veterans Restoration Quarters, 1430 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805.
Services
Visitation: August 19, 2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 252-3535
http://grocefuneralhome.com
Memorial Service: August 19, 2026 6:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 252-3535
http://grocefuneralhome.com
Stephen R
McKinney
Nancy, my dear sister in Christ you will be lifted up in prayer. Thank you both for all your efforts contributed to the community and Church. You both are certainly role models to follow.
Bless and love you dearly.
Chuck and Karen Knowlton
Sorry for yall loss. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Peace be with all of you.
Jack & LaNita
Jessie Stansbury & family you are going to be dearly missed.
So sorry you have lost such a wonderful man. I didn’t know him but he seems to have been a great person to live life with. It is so hard to give back to God what is his in the first place, but his love will always be with you. You will feel it, I promise.
Kathy Burrell Collins
I am so sorry to hear this. May Gods comfort be with his family.
Dear family, I pray the Holy Spirit gives you the comfort only He can give and His assurance that brother James is in the place the Lord Jesus had prepared for him in that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. God bless you all. Brother James will be greatly missed.
Nancy,
We are saddened to hear of James’s passing but rejoice in knowing he is in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are praying for you and family during this difficult time and may Jesus wrap his loving arms around you and provide strength that only he can. James had a sweet and tender spirit and a servant’s heart!
Lots of Love,
Jason and Andie Rachels
I just met James a short time ago at church. I could tell he was such a caring and generous man. He will surely be missed by not only his family but by all that crossed his path. So sorry for the loss. Kenny and Linda Reed
We are very sorry to hear of James passing our sincere condolences to you and the family. RIP James
Thinking of you in a special way. So sorry for your loss.
Thinking of you and sending prayers. Take care of yourself!
To James, I will never forget you my friend. From the day we met I knew you were a very good man. A great customer that turned into a great friend. The world is a better place because you were here for a short time and gave so much to so many. Love you brother. May you rest in peace and your memory live forever.
Remember James from Enka High and being in band with him.
Will keep all family in my prayers
So sorry.
Stephanie ~ you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers 💐🙏
Leslie Poe
Got to know James the last few years helping with our family reunions (Justice Family) he was one in a million! Easy going, always willing to help in so many situations. I counted him as a brother! Truly going to miss this sweet man. Love & prayers to the family 💜
Nancy… I’m so very sorry to hear of James passing. Love and caring thoughts as you travel this new road. Kevin
Brooke, we are so sorry for you and your families loss. You and your family are in our prayers. Wendy and Brian Blankenship
I was saddened to hear of James’ passing. He was always very kind when I was over hanging out with Stephanie or when we crossed paths at Ingles. He will be missed. I will keep you all in my thoughts during this tough time.
Knew James for many years . He was loved and well respected by both the kids as well as the parents at Hominy Valley. Having worked with all of his children who were a pleasure to work with and to Nancy and Stephanie who I have known for many years I extend my sympathy. Rest in peace James.
Prayers for all the family. From Bent Creek Church to Enka High School my memories
of our times together are great ones.
Bronson, Tildon, and Brooke,
I am saddened to hear of the untimely loss of Brother James. I know that God will provide comfort and peace to you in this difficult time as only HE can. I am sincerely grateful to have had your dad as a friend and coach through many seasons of life.
We are saddened to hear of the loss of James, our prayers are with all of you. He was Brian’s first coach, basketball at the Y at the age of 8. Then came many years of sports with Hominy Valley. James was patient, faithful and fair in his coaching and was respected by so many kids he coached. I can picture my Dad and his Dad sitting together watching their grandsons play, sometimes on the same team sometimes not, but it didn’t matter, they cheered for both. We are grateful for so many great memories.
James was such a kind man. He was a great boss to me and helped everyday to make GBS a better place. My thoughts and prayers for Bronson and Tilton.