James Franklin Stacy Whitworth
December 23, 1942 ~ June 11, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
James Franklin Stacy Whitworth, 70, of Asheville, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center.
James was a 1961 graduate of Lee Edwards High School. After serving in the Air Force, he became a firefighter for the City of Asheville in 1966, was promoted to captain in 1977, and served as captain until his retirement in 1989. James was an active member of Abernethy United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Louise Watkins Whitworth; grandmother, Sarah Watkins; and wife of 42 years, Brenda Smith Whitworth.
He is survived by a son, Stacy Whitworth and his wife, Ingrid; one daughter, Cheryl Whitworth; and close cousins Gladys Nix and Bea Robey.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday at Abernethy United Methodist Church, with the Rev. D. Wesley Austin officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806, or to the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.
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have known james for years…always a great guy….many years ago i stopped by to visit and while talking to him and Brenda i said’ i must be crazy..i hear crickets’ they laughed so hard…he was working at bait store and sold crickets..some came home with him in cuff of his pants..will miss you buddy….’sefus’
So many great years of friendship and memories. Stacey and Cheryl you were so blessed with your amazing parents. Never a dull moment with your Dad’s great sense of humor……always in our hearts.
Dear Stacy and Cheryl,
I’m so sorry for you losing your dad. He was a man of integrity and he loved you guys with his whole being. He will be missed!
I never actually had the pleasure of working on James’s shift at the Asheville Fire Dept., but I worked downtown on another shift and was privy to observing him first hand and hearing second hand from firefighters on his shift as what a tremendous firefighter that he was. He was well respected around the entire department. He was a pleasure to work for, I was always told, and loved the guys around him. He was huge outdoorsman. Even though I never worked first hand with him, I watched him and he was actually a mentor from a distance to me as to what kind of firefighter and leader that I wanted to be. Gone but never forgotten, Captain. My deepest condolences to his family.
Stacy and Cheryl,
I am very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was a good friend and a great neighbor of mine for many years. I regret I am going to be away this weekend and will miss the service. However, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jerry
I worked with james in west Asheville station 6 as a young rookie he was a great man and firefighter and loved the fire dept and his family god bless
We are so sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. He was a wonderful man and a great Christian. He will be missed.
Cheryl, Stacy & Ingrid,
I know James felt your love all thru his life and left this earth surrounded by it. May you all find comfort in the pride and joy you gave him. Good people leave us too soon, but memories last forever. Love to you all
Our prayers to your family from all of the Packers.
We are deeply sorry for your family loss. We pray that the pain will ease from your grief and that God will bless you all by remembering the good memories of your family together. God bless you.
Cheryl & Stacy,
Our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers for you both -we were so sad to hear of your dad’s passing.
We will miss our Friday lunches with him and Katie will miss her ‘store granddad’. He was such a sweet, loving and funny man.
We are so sorry for you loss. Your family is in our prayers. The Brock’s
Sorry for your lost. I was a classmate of James and Brenda’s.
To Brenda and the family of James Whitworth. I would like to express my sorrow in his passing. May Peace be with you.
Sincerly,
William H. Cogburn Capt AFD RET.
James was such a sweet guy. < Brenda I am so sorry for your loss, we had great times at LEH.I will keep you in my prayers
Jim was always friendly and kind. We will miss him. James & Kathryn Lee