James Rutledge Sheridan CHARLOTTE - James Rutledge Sheridan, 87, peacefully passed away at his home on Monday, December 31, 2012. Jim was born on August 22, 1925 to Emma Hook and Howard Carlisle Sheridan in Columbia, SC. He graduated from Dreher High School in Columbia and attended the University of South Carolina. His college years were interrupted by service in the Air Force, but he returned to be editor of the school newspaper and graduated in 1949 with a BS in Journalism. Jim continued to serve in the USAF from 1944-51 as a navigation instructor. From 1951-53 he was stationed with the Missle Test Wing at Patrick Air Force Base in Melbourne, Florida. It was here that he met the love of his life and future wife, Kathleen Ethne McCann. They were married in Melbourne in 1952 and just recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. Jim's Air Force career continued in the reserves until 1954 and he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Jim and Ethne moved to Charlotte in 1954 where Jim first entered the banking world in the securities section of American Commercial Bank. He was later promoted to Assistant Vice President in charge of securities. He later moved to American Trust and won a regional public speaking contest during his tenure there. His major contribution to banking began when he moved to North Carolina National Bank. It was here that he formed the Investment Division responsible for investment portfolio management and economic analysis. He would eventually rise to the level of Senior Vice President. While working at NCNB, Jim graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. He later taught graduate banking courses at Rutgers and at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He was elected to the Bank Investment Division of the American Bankers Association and in 1981 he served as chairman of the American Bankers Association. As a member of the ABA Government Borrowing Committee, Jim served as an advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury under President Gerald Ford. He also served as Vice Chairman of the North Carolina Municipal Council. In 1984 Jim was awarded a Certificate of Merit from Mayor Harvey Gantt for service to the city of Charlotte. After 33 years, Jim left the banking industry to join First Charlotte Corporation, later to become JC Bradford and Paine Webber until his full retirement in 1995. Outside of work, Jim always loved the outdoors whether it was working in the yard or pursuing his most passionate athletic interests, tennis and golf. He was a founding member of Olde Providence Racquet Club and an active member at Carmel Country Club. He served on the Board of Directors at Olde Providence for many years. Jim was also a founding father of Charlotte Latin School where all three of his sons graduated. Jim and Ethne were active members of St. Gabriel's Catholic Church where he served on the financial committee. Jim's greatest love in life was his wife of 60 years, Ethne, and their three sons. He and Ethne spent many years watching their sons' various athletic activities and later enjoyed visiting with their many grandchildren. He was a caring and supportive husband and father with a great sense of humor. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Howard Sheridan and a granddaughter, Susannah Holland Sheridan. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Ethne Sheridan; son David and wife Kirby and their four children, Carlisle, McCann, Meredith and Ellis; son Craig and wife Susan and their four children, Spencer, Hayes, James and Ashley; son Eric and wife Mary and their two sons, Carter and Hunter; sister Edith Cook of Mt Pleasant, SC; nephew Dr. William Cook and his wife Sherry of Mt Pleasant, SC, niece Nancy Law of Columbia, SC and niece Sheridan Sloan and her husband Edwin of Inman, SC. There will be a visitation at St Gabriel's Catholic Church from 6-8pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013. A service to celebrate Jim's life will be held on Friday, January 4th at 11:00 am also at St Gabriel's Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28211. The family will receive friends and family at the church after the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Holy Angels Nursery 6600 Wilkinson Blvd Belmont, NC 28012. The family would also like to thank the staff and caregivers at Compassionate Care of Charlotte, Inc. for all the wonderful care given to Jim. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.heritagefuneral.net.
Published in Charlotte Observer from January 1 to January 2, 2013
