James Edward Hemsworth

James Edward Hemsworth
Mr. Hemsworth, age 91, died Friday, February 11, 2011 at the Stewart Health Center at The Cypress of Charlotte, North Carolina. Jim was the younger son of Gladys and Carl Hemsworth of Waterloo, Iowa and was born on October 30, 1919. He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska where he was on the tennis team and was a social member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. During the summer after his junior year in college [1941], Jim was on a Navy cruise when he was told no one was allowed to leave the ship and Pearl Harbor occurred three months later. So began his five year service in the Navy during World War II. He was sent his University degree before being discharged as a Lieutenant Commander. He then attended Columbia University in New York City for post-graduate work in advertising and marketing.
In 1947 Jim entered executive training in marketing and advertising with Sears Roebuck's national office in Chicago, Illinois. He worked with Sears his entire 37-year career, serving as a national mail order manager in several departments as well as a national buyer.
In 1949 Jim met and married Bonnie Marlene Atwell. They moved Glen Ellyn, Illinois in 1952 where they lived for 17 years and began to raise their three children, Jim, Holly and Scott. Jim was quite a handyman and built a family room, garage and patio onto his first house in Glen Ellyn. In his spare time he made pieces of furniture for the home and wooden games. He was also active in church and volunteer activities. But his biggest pleasure was playing golf and tennis.
In 1969 Sears transferred Jim to New York City and the family lived in Summit, New Jersey for 10 years. Lots of golf and tennis continued. Jim also branched out his crafts to wood carvings of trees, portraits of his children and his family crest. Later he began working in silver and gold - designing and cutting out incredible monogram belt buckles - the most intricate in Old English script, later cutting out gold monogram pendants which he made for his daughter's bridesmaids.
In 1979 Jim and Bonnie were transferred back to Chicago and lived in Wheaton until Jim retired in 1981. After retirement, Jim and Bonnie moved to Skidaway Island, outside Savannah, Georgia where they lived for 16 years. This was a golf and tennis retirement community and Jim was in 7th heaven. When he tired of golf, he continued his crafts as well as volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and served on a panel to help advise whether to return children in foster care to their families.
During retirement, Jim and Bonnie also indulged their love of travel, particularly to ancient and exotic parts of the world - they have seen a lot.
In 2000, Jim and Bonnie moved to The Cypress of Charlotte - which they believe was one of their best decisions ever. They took part in and loved many of the wonderful activities offered. Jim entered the Stewart Center at the Cypress in June of 2008. With his dry sense of humor, he kept everyone at the Stewart Center laughing. The family will be eternally thankful to Wanda and all of his caregivers for their loving and supportive care.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Martin. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, his son Jim and wife Janice of Southlake, Texas, his daughter Holly and husband Scott of Belmont, Massachusetts, and his son Scott and wife Maureen of Watchung, New Jersey, and grandchildren Brian, Kara, Laura, Todd, Jackie, Samantha and Thomas.
A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, in The Clubhouse at the Cypress.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the compassionate care provided by the staff at the Stuart Health care center especially Wanda. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Fisher Center Foundation, One Intrepid Square West 46th St. & 12 Ave., New York, NY 10036, www.alzinfo.org, to benefit research to fight Alzheimer's, or Hospice and Palliative Care - Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th St. Charlotte, NC 28204. TH Robertson Funeral Service Lic., www.throbertson.com is serving the family.