James Villas Obituary

James Milton Villas EAST HAMPTON, NY James Milton Villas, an award-winning food author, passed away in his sleep Aug. 17, 2018, at his home in East Hampton. He was 80. Born Feb. 10, 1938, James was preceded in death by his parents, Harold J. Villas and Martha Pierson Villas, and a sister, Patricia Villas Royal. He was a Southerner by birth, temperament and appetite. James wrote about food and drink and sketched fictional stories before leaving the teaching profession. For more than 30 years he devoted his full attention to his palate after becoming Food and Wine Editor of Town & Country magazine. In addition to the hundreds of feature articles for that magazine, James wrote extensively for Esquire, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Life, The New Yorker and other publications. James authored 12 cookbooks, most of which were inspired by his mother. He won numerous awards including the James Beard Award in 1995, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2011. The Beard award is known as the Oscar of the food world and is the highest honor for food and beverage professionals in America. He made numerous appearances on television shows including Good Morning America, Today, CNN, and CNBC. James traveled the globe in search of the next great meal, the next unknown bottle of wine, the next exciting chef and, to be sure, the next compelling subject for a new story or cookbook. James graduated in 1956 from Myers Park High School in Charlotte where he played football and performed in many theater productions. He also sang in the boys' choir at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Charlotte. James graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1960 before earning a Master's degree and Ph.D. He continued his studies at Middlebury College in Vermont and received a Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Grenoble, France. James will be remembered by cousins Elizabeth T. Anderson (John Donald) and Mary Theiling, both of Charlotte, NC, Martha Theiling Lynch of Fayetteville, NC, Martha Royal Myers of Garner, NC, Charles Royal of Wilmington, NC, and many friends. The family wishes to thank Bruce and Linda Weed and Jim and Margaret Nolan of East Hampton, NY for their friendship and care given to James in his weakest of times. Also, a special thank you for the medical care and friendship given by Dr. Ralph Gibson of East Hampton, NY over the years. James was fond of beagles and Bridgett was with him to the end. Memorials may be made to Animal Rescue Funds of the Hamptons, Box 901, Wainscott, NY 11975 or WMNR Fine Arts Radio, PO Box 920, Monroe, Connecticut 06468.

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Published by Charlotte Observer on Aug. 26, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for James Villas

6 Entries

Dr. Ron Plummer

October 17, 2018

Looks, intelligence, charm and wit! Jimmy had it all when I knew him in Chapel Hill in the first half of the 1960's. He was the "golden boy" to which all undergraduate guys who knew him yearned to become. Ironically, I had just finished "Dancing in the Low Country" when I heard of his death. Gifted observer of the human condition and a nice person with a barbed sense of humor. Unforgettable Jimmy!

jandard

September 22, 2018

I knew him in grenoble in 1960 such a charmer!!!!!

Michael Riggs

September 4, 2018

Farewell to my first cousin once removed. His legacy lives on in his books tracing those Southern roots, that Greek and Swedish heritage, his passions for food and life. My mother Betsy has many fond memories of growing up with Jimmy in a now-distant, small-town Charlotte of the 1940's. May Jimmy rest in peace.

Michael McConnell

August 29, 2018

He will be much missed for his refined and informed obstinacy, his wit, his honesty, all of which will live on in his copious written insights on food and, in the bigger picture, the human condition. Here's to the example he set as regards the greater celebration of the appetite: for food, for music, for friends and family. His was a hedonism to aspire to.

Pat Willingham Zarantonello

August 28, 2018

I am so sorry to hear of Jimmys recent death. As with many people, I have followed his career all these years and was privileged to have known him from his early Charlotte years.
Jimmy was a force of nature. I remember him mostly for his passions for dance, French, football and travel (not necessarily in that order).
He and I taught ballroom dancing in high school and performed locally. On a trip to New York for lessons, he was the one to introduce the group to the Big Apple, as he had been on many trips there with his family and knew all about the with-it places to go. We had a fantastic week due to his expertise in navigating the city. As I learned many years later, he continued his love of travel on the QEII many times. I also knew Pat and his parents. I was impressed with all of the family and their many interests and graciousness.
At Myers Park High, Jimmy was known for his love of all things French. I see he continued this love throughout his life and career. I always bragged to my friends when I saw articles by him in magazines and like many own a couple of the books he wrote with Martha Pearl. He is remembered by many as a football star at Myers Park High. Everything he did was done with vigor, thats for sure.
Please accept my sincere condolences for his loss. He will be sorely missed.

Phil Poovey

August 27, 2018

I knew Jim Villas in the 1960's in Chapel Hill when he was pursuing his Ph.D. He was a handsome and extremely witty fellow who was bigger than life. He adored all things French and beagles - his first was Phyllis. In his rich career, he indulged travel to and from Europe on the QE II in grand style. We shall miss his humor and joy for life.

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