Robert McGimsey

Mr. Robert Theodore McGimsey, 79, of Morganton, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Grace Hospital. Born Dec. 5, 1929, in Lenoir, he was the youngest child of Bertha Deaton and the late Gamewell Charles McGimsey. Bob was educated in Caldwell County schools, and played first-chair cornet for Captain Harper's legendary Lenoir High School Band. After graduating from Lenoir High School in the Class of 1947, he enrolled at the UNC-Chapel Hill and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, the University Concert Band, and the freshman wrestling team. After a year, he interrupted his studies to serve in the U.S. Air Force, first serving in Denver, Colo., and then in Japan. While on duty in Tokyo, he married Emily Jane Reid of Asheville. After his discharge, the two returned to Chapel Hill where Bob completed his studies in accounting. He graduated in 1956 and began his career in accounting with Smith & Grisette & Co. in his home town of Lenoir. After passing the CPA exam, he moved his family to Morehead City in late 1958 and became a partner with the Josiah Bailey Firm. He returned to Smith, Grisette and Beach in Lenoir the following year. In 1966 he opened the Morganton office for the firm, and in 1970 became a senior partner in the re-organized firm of J.A. Grisette & Co., which subsequently merged with international firm Deloite, Haskins, and Sells in 1982. Bob managed their Morganton office until he retired a partner of Deloitte & Touche in 1985. After retirement, Bob played golf, attended his beloved UNC Tar Heels basketball and football games and still enjoyed "office hours" at Lowdermilk Church & Co. accounting firm. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he was a former member of the finance committee and administrative board, Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club where he served as treasurer, former member of the Lions Club, and Burke County Chamber of Commerce. He was currently serving on the ABC Board and board of directors at the Bank of Granite. Surviving are his mother, Bertha Deaton McGimsey of Grace Ridge; his wife, Patricia Sholar McGimsey; sons, Robert Gamewell McGimsey and his wife, Debra, of Eagle River, Alaska, and Gregory Theodore McGimsey and his wife, Dawn, of Morganton; daughters, Paige McGimsey Pitts of Morganton, Susan McGimsey Mainous and her husband, JD, of Greenville, S.C.; step-daughter, Laura Sholar Carlton and her husband, Bee, of Clinton, S.C.; step-sons, Michael B. Sholar and his wife, Fran, of Brentwood, Tenn. and John A. Sholar of West Palm Beach, Fla.; 12 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Chelsea, Rachael, Daniel, Matt, Malea, Mitchell, Evan, Leigh, Lindsay, Claire, Olivia and Landyn; two great-step-grandchildren, Meg and Liam; a sister, Rose Ann Smith of Lenoir; a brother, Richard Gibbs McGimsey and his wife, Rachel, of Roanoke, Va.; sister-in-law, Bette Sherrill McGimsey of Lenoir; special family friends, Anne Woodard, Ran Whitley and Eric Sain; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his former wife of 49 years, Jane Reid McGimsey; his father, Gamewell Charles McGimsey; a grandson, Abel Riggan Pitts; a brother, Charles Gamewell McGimsey; and a brother-in-law, Waitsel Burgess Smith Jr. A service of remembrance will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Morganton. The family will receive friends after the service. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 North King St., Morganton. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.