James Lenhart Obituary

JAMES DONALD

LENHART (JIM)

BLACK MOUNTAIN - James Donald Lenhart (Jim) of Highland Farms in Black Mountain, died September 21 after a series of health setbacks. Born November 29, 1933 in Connellsville, Pa., son of J. Donald and Blossom Murray Lenhart, he always considered his birth into a family of unconditional love to be the greatest gift he ever received and he tried to share it with family and friends.

Jim never quite knew what his work career should be so he tried a number of them. Ann Lenhart, his wife of 42 years, was an eager co-explorer in their vocational/activist pursuits. After graduating in 1957 from West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, Jim went to work for the National Security Association as a code breaker and he quickly closed vocational door # 1. Next he turned to writing with much more success. He wrote and edited newspapers and magazines for the next 17 years in Pennsylvania and south Jersey including Friends Journal, a national Quaker magazine. He also enjoyed traveling on special assignments for Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania.

In 1977 the Lenhart itch for new experiences led the family to move to an alternative school and intentional community in Celo, N.C. where they loved and worked for 5 years. Subsequent jobs included Residence Director of Warren Wilson College, work at an adult daycare home in Asheville, and, for the last 3 years of his working career serving as Executive Director of Mountain Care, forerunner of Community Care Partners Adult Day Services.

He retired in 1998 and lost his wife to pancreatic cancer in 1999. Subsequently, he found a new and joyous life partner and he and Jeanette Reid spent 12 years together before his death. Jim is also survived by his brother, Dick Lenhart (Kay) of Leesburg, Fla.; his son, Del Lenhart of Fairview, N.C.; daughters, Valerie Pulsifer (Jon) of Swannanoa and Jil Meadows (John) of Fairview; son, Matt Lenhart (Laura) of Joplin, Mo.; former daughter-in-law, Terri Lenhart of Fairview, 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

In retirement Jim enjoyed traveling, especially visiting state and national parks throughout the United States. He loved and appreciated the natural world-- mountains, rivers, prairies, coastal regions, animals, reptiles, birds, and creatures of the sea. He also served on numerous non-profit boards, working to improve the human environment for all people. His warmth, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit enriched many lives.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 8th, 11 a.m., at Hidden River Events near Warren Wilson College. Find directions at www.hiddenriver.com

Memorial gifts may be made to Arthur Morgan School, Celo, N.C., Black Mountain-Swannanoa Community Foundation, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, or any environmental group. Condolences may be made to the family at www.ashevillemortuaryservices.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asheville Citizen-Times on Sep. 26, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for James Lenhart

10 Entries

Beth Maczja

October 8, 2012

My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Jim. I so enjoyed working with Jim over the years. His positive spirit always lifted me up.

October 8, 2012

Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. David and Karen Taylor and family

Alyson Johnson-Sawyer

September 30, 2012

The life given us by nature is short but the memory of a well spent life is eternal - Cicero

Alyson Johnson-Sawyer

September 30, 2012

Jim certainly played an important part in my life, both personally and professionally. He laid a wonderful foundation for me to build upon in Adult Day Services and also laid the foundation for Jim Sawyer and I to be married (by getting us on our first date).
I loved and appreciated his passion, sincerity, warmth, commitment and honesty. Many of his words have come back to me several times over. Thank you, Jim, for the impact that you made for so many.

Ann and Joe Lee Michotte

September 28, 2012

Dearest Jim: You were the image of your
mother, our dear Aunt Blossom, we all loved you and enjoyed being with you on
your visits to Fl with Jeanette each yr
after the holidays, we will save a place for you in our hearts at that time each year. So very happy you had
Jeanette in your life, you will be so
very missed, no words could ever tell
you the sadness, but know you will be in a happy place with your family. See
you some day!

Erin Jenkins (Sewell)

September 28, 2012

I love you Uncle Jim! I will miss you greatly. I just wish I could have seen you more recently. I enjoyed the summers I got to see you. Praying for the family!

September 28, 2012

You were the brother I never had!
We will certainly miss you, especially at the yearly dinners we had in FL.
Love, "Cousin" Carol & Lou Mihalic

Brenda Anderson

September 26, 2012

Jim was a great person, he was at Mt. Geri Care when our Father was there. He was wonderful to our Dad. My Sister and I thought the world of him. So very sorry to hear he is gone. We will always remember his goodness. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Elaine Baldwin

September 26, 2012

I feel incredibly blessed to have known Jim through my long friendship with Jeanette. I visited them at Highland Farms many times, through joys and sorrows of my own, and always felt welcomed,loved and supported. Jim was always intellectually curious and loved to laugh, and was a warm, gentle, generous and thoroughly kind person. My heart goes out to Jeanette and to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and to all his many friends...I mourn with you and sing his praises.

Chuck & Connie Root

September 26, 2012

Our deepest sympathy to the family & loved ones. Jim was a kind and generous man and servant to our community.

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