James Irvine Ransbotham

James Irvine Ransbotham July 27, 1931- August 21, 2007 FAYETTEVILLE, NC— (Ret.) LTC James Irvine (Jimmy, Randy) Ransbotham, 76, of 1646 Greenock Dr., Fayetteville, NC. died August 21, 2007 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Funeral service is planned for Saturday, August 25, 2007 at Butler Funeral Home in Stedman, NC. at 11 a.m. with Dr. Brian Lee officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Jim was a hero, husband, father, grandfather, brother and athlete. He was born July 27, 1931 in Atlanta, GA., the son of the late Taylor J. Ransbotham and Margaret Chambers Ransbotham. He was a former Bass High School and Furman University football and tennis star. He received his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Georgia State University. LTC Ransbotham was a decorated, retired army officer who flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft during three tours in the Vietnam Conflict. He was affectionately called "Mr. Jim". He was named Honorary Crew Chief for the US Air Force Thunderbirds in 1997. He was a member of LaFayette Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC. Memorials may be made to LaFayette Baptist Church, 501 Hope Mills Road, Fayetteville, NC. 28304 or to the charity of your choice. Visitation is planned for Friday, August 24, 2007 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Butler Funeral Home in Stedman, NC. He is survived by his wife, Janie Ransbotham; one son, Jack Ransbotham, Tucson, AZ.; three daughters, Diane Walter, Elizabethton, TN., Karen Ruffin, Signal Mountain, TN and Candy Ransbotham, Smiths, AL.; two step daughters, Kaye Malvarez, Lynn Stone, both of Fayetteville; two sisters, Ann Carter, Brandon, FL. and Ruth Maxey, Montgomery, AL.; seven grandchildren; 5 step grandchildren; one great grandchild; five step great grandchildren; one great grandchild on the way.