James O. Icenhour

James O. Icenhour, 80, of Ely, Minn., and Durham, N.C., died on August 22, 2003, in Virginia, Minn. He was born on July 31, 1923, in Alexander County, N.C., to Parks and Dare Morrison Icenhour. He graduated from high school in Dillon, S.C. He entered the Army Air Force in July 1943 and served in the occupation forces in Japan. During his military career he flew over 6,000 hours in a wide variety of military aircraft including bombers, transports, and fighters. While on active duty he earned his Bachelor's Degree (with Phi Betta Kappa honors) from the University of North Carolina, and his Master's Degree from Stanford University. After retiring from the Air Force in 1966 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he earned his Doctorate Degree from George Washington University. He then pursued a second career as a professor of political science at Lenior Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., until he again retired in 1986. At the age of 66 he earned a law degree from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. He practiced law in Taylorsville, N.C. from 1989 to 1996 and upon his final retirement was awarded the Legal Aid of North Carolina State Wide Pro-Bono award. He is survived by his wife Mary Louise; son James Jr. (Linda) Icenhour of Williamsburg, Va.; daughter Janet (Robert) Sandarg of Evans, Ga.; son Kenneth Icenhour of Durham, N.C. He is also survived by stepsons, David Krall of Durham, N.C., Joseph (Rhonda) Krall of Edina, Minn., and Major Daniel (Baxter) Krall of Naples, Italy. Other survivors include his brothers, Max (Virginia) of Cary, N.C. and Wayne (Alvera) of Winter Garden, Fla. Surviving grandchildren include Captain Cheryl Garner, Cynthia Icenhour, Kristen Church, Eric Sandarg, and Ryan and Sean Icenhour. SERVICE:2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2003, in The First Presbyterian Church in Ely with Pastor Anna Williamson and Bishop Elroy Lewis presiding. Burial will follow in the Ely Cemetery. Family services provided by Kerntz Brothers, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Ely. To share a personal remembrance of James online; see: www.baumanfuneral home.com