James Richard Cutlip

james cutlip

September 20, 1944 ~ June 5, 2021

Born in: Lebanon, OH
Resided in: Asheville, NC

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James Richard Cutlip, 76, of Asheville, North Carolina, died on Saturday, June 5, 2021. He succumbed to injuries sustained from an accident while doing one of the things he loved the most; working in his home auto shop. He was in the comforting presence of His wife, Carolyn, daughter, Stephanie, and his minister Gerald Davis at the time of his passing.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, June 14 at Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville, North Carolina. It will be followed by a reception.

Jim was born September 20, 1944, in Lebanon Ohio to Ruth and Forest Cutlip. He graduated from Milan High School in 1962 He graduated University of Tennessee with a degree in agriculture in 1968.

Jim retired from teaching high school criminal justice in 2014. Prior to teaching, he had a lengthy and distinguished career in criminal investigation and counterintelligence. He was a special agent for the U.S. Department of Defense until 1997. He was a special agent in U.S. Army Intelligence from 1968 to 1977.

Jim loved working in his garden and improving his home in Milan, Tennessee and, more recently, Asheville, North Carolina. He was a lifelong automotive enthusiast with a passion for classic sports cars. He restored or built several over the years, including three classic Corvettes. A veritable Dr. Doolittle, he loved spoiling his various pets and the assorted wildlife around his home and ensured none ever went hungry.

Jim is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Stephanie Lonow, and granddaughter Maddie Grace Lonow, of Asheville, NC; his son Zachary of Oakland, CA; his sister, Mary Mayham, and nieces Jennifer, Marcy, and Tonya of Ripley, TN; and his daughter Melissa Spiers of Chattanooga, TN.

A special thank you to all the family, friends, and members of the community whose love and support has sustained the Cutlip and Lonow families through this painful chapter.

Services

Memorial Service: June 14, 2021 11:00 am

Groce United Methodist Church
954 Tunnel Road
Asheville, NC 28805
828-298-7647

Add to My Calendar America/New_York 2021-06-14 11:00:00 2021-06-14 11:00:00 JamesRichardCutlipMemorial Service Memorial Service 954 Tunnel Road,Asheville, NC 28805

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Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road
856 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805
(828)299-4416
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Add to My Calendar America/New_York 1970-01-01 00:00:00 1970-01-01 00:00:00 JamesRichardCutlipFuneral Home Assisting The Family Funeral Home Assisting The Family 856 Tunnel Rd.,Asheville, NC 28805

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Guestbook

  1. I had the honor, privilege and pleasure of having Jim Cutlip as a true friend for over thirty years. Having worked closely with Jim for many years, I witnessed his countless extremely rare virtues. Jim was first a Christian family man who lived his faith in deeds. He was a great American patriot who served the nation loyally with courage, devotion, honor and with unyielding and unwavering principles throughout his life. Often even in the face of powerful and relentless adversaries, and at great personal cost and sacrifice; Jim never abandoned his principles of striving for the best ideals of morality, ethics and decency. Yet, Jim was always willing to show compassion and forgiveness to others. For all of his incredible achievements and great intellect, he remained honestly humble, courteous and friendly to all – so much so that many never knew of all he achieved and sacrificed for the country. Greatness and success in life is not measured by fame or wealth, but by the attributes exhibited consistently by Jim over his lifetime. Jim Cutlip was a great man and the best friend you could hope to have. I didn’t know it when I met Jim, but I came to understand and know clearly that it was one of the greatest blessings God ever gave me. God Bless You Jim. You will be greatly missed but we know that you are with God, and for that, we celebrate, praise God and thank him for your life.

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    • Bob, your words mean so much to me and my family. You are absolutely correct in your characterization of jim. His family and friends will miss him greatly. Carolyn

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  2. Jim was my brother and friend. He and Carolyn traveled to Martin, Tn the weekend of May 14 and 15, 2021 for our fraternity Founders Day when we celebrated with and honored 14 of the 17 brothers who are Vietnam Veterans. I saw an extremely happy brother. I will miss him and listening to his unique voice. Rest In Peace brother.

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  3. My deepest sympathies to this precious family. My thoughts and prayers for you all during such a difficult time of loss.

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  4. My deepest sympathy to Carolyn, Stephanie and family, Zach and family in the loss of Jim, your beloved husband and father. Lord wrap your arms around this family and give them the strength and comfort to face tomorrow and the days and months ahead.

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  5. We were so sorry to hear what happened to Jim. So sad. There are not words enough to express our sympathy. Prayers for Carolyn & the rest of the family. God be with during this time.
    Betty & Bob Brown

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  6. Mr. Cutlip was by far my favorite teacher in school. Teaching criminal Justice was so second nature to him, he made his classes fun story-filled sessions where his life experiences did most of the teaching. . He made it all so interesting I took every Criminal Justice class my school offered as well as joining the Criminal Justice Club. He was also the teacher who had his students back when they needed it. The most glaring personal example still sticks with me today at age 30. I just remember going to Mr Cutlip explaining I had just been suspended over something I didn’t do as he listened intently no doubt taking mental notes. After I explained the whole situation he runs off to the principal’s office. After the lunch bell I remember walking to my locker and Mr Cutlip stops me on the way and just says “See ya tomorrow” before giving a quick wink and darting towards his classroom. That’s the Jim Cutlip I’ll always remember. Thank you for the life lessons I still use today. Thank you for not treating the education of us like an assembly line. You truly made a difference.

    Sincerely,
    Richard Patterson.

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