James Carson Jr.

James Holmes Carson, Jr. CHARLOTTE - On Friday, August 28, 2015, James Holmes Carson, Jr. left this earthly life to begin his eternal one. He lost his battle with myelodysplastic syndrome, but he never lost his courage, his strength or his faith. A native of Charlotte, Jim was the firstborn son of James Holmes Carson and Charlotte Milstead Carson. He was raised in the beginning developments of Eastover and took full advantage of the creek and woods that provided many opportunities for adventures with neighborhood friends. Jim graduated from the Darlington School in Rome, Georgia, before receiving his undergraduate degree and juris doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as first vice president of UNC's chapter of College Republicans and president of the legal fraternity. Jim was a carrier-based Navy fighter pilot, flying for 15 years - five years of active duty and 10 years in the ready reserve. He practiced both corporate and criminal law in Charlotte throughout his career. He served two terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he sat on the Judiciary Committee, the Courts and Judicial Districts Committee, and the Constitutional Amendments Committee. Jim wrote, sponsored and enacted the state's first habitual felon law, "three strikes and you're out" measure. He also wrote and enacted a measure to increase the penalty for shooting at a police officer or a firefighter to a felony, and passed legislation to provide free school meals to students in need. Jim served his state faithfully as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and as the state's first and only Republican attorney general in the 20th century. He was chairman of the North Carolina Organized Crime Prevention Council, a member of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission, and a member of the North Carolina Criminal Code Commission. Jim was also a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the National Association of Trial Lawyers. In his Charlotte community, he was president of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Young Republicans, president of the Reserve Officers Association, and director of the Charlotte Jaycees. Jim was selected as one of Charlotte's 10 Outstanding Young Men for two years running. An avid outdoorsman, Jim never turned down the chance to go fishing or hunting, from the Florida Keys to Brooks Camp, Alaska, and many places in between - especially alongside those he loved. He was a steady presence on the tennis courts at Charlotte Country Club and earned the status of life master from the National Bridge Association. He was a man of faith, furthered by his membership at Christ Episcopal Church. But Jim's greatest accomplishment of all was being the most loving and attentive husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His parents and his sister, Charlotte, predecease him. Jim is survived by his wife and fly fishing partner of 45 years, Syble Balentine Carson; his daughters, Page Carson Rogers (Rick) of Charlotte, Christy Carson Evans (Bruce) of Arlington, Virginia, and Read Carson Van de Water (Mark) of Warrenton, Virginia; his eight grandchildren, Carson and Mary Summers Rogers, McKay, Andrew and John Evans, and Parker, Ward and Logan Van de Water; and his brothers, Charles and John Carson. His extended family includes Ginny and Roger Cobb, Ann and Gil Shea, Charles and Elizabeth Carson, Leonard and Linda Balentine, Selina and Don Swofford, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Our family extends deep gratitude to Dr. John Fedor, Dr. Gregory Underwood, Dr. John Mahoney, Dr. Lewis McCurdy, and the entire staff of the ICU at CMC for their constant vigilance and care in never giving up the fight. A service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, August 31, at Christ Episcopal Church, lead by longtime friend, the Rev. Dr. Fred C. Paschall. The family will receive friends following the service in The Blue Room. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Wounded Warriors Project or the Charlotte Rescue Mission. Jim was a blessing in all of our lives. A man of outstanding character, values and great devotion, he will be missed by all he left behind. We look forward to the day we will see him again. Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service is serving the family. www.throbertson.com.