James "Jim" Harry Beggs

James (Jim) Harry Beggs, 85, died peacefully at home in Asheville on September 22, 2026.

He was born in Fort Wayne, IN to the late Harry George Beggs and Louise Simminger Beggs. He graduated from The Hill School in Pennsylvania and Yale University. He served three years in the United States Marine Corps. His career was in electrical engineering, co-founding Integrated Systems Company, building systems to control high-rise buildings and obtaining one patent. Upon retiring he and his wife Ann moved to Asheville, NC. Jim enjoyed giving his time, energy and talents to First Congregational UCC in Asheville, the Biltmore Masonic Lodge #446, the Shriners International and Oasis Shrine Clowns where he could be seen entertaining children, riding a Segway in parades throughout NC. He is survived by his loving wife Ann of 56 years, his son Robert Beggs of Lakeland, FL, his daughter Alice (Beggs) Gross of Bentonville, AR, his son-in-law John Gross, his granddaughters Hannah Gross and Adelyn Gross, and his brothers John Beggs (Gypsy) and H. George Beggs (Anna).

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on October 7, 2026 at First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak Street, Asheville, NC with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to First Congregational UCC Asheville to the music fund or the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Greenville, SC.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.