James Crofton Coltrain

James Crofton Coltrain of Pantego, NC, died at Autumnfield Rest Home, April 9, 2024 in the afternoon.
Coltrain "Wormie, The Worm, PJ, Grandaddy Worm, Pop, Daddy, Dad, Brother, Jimmy, Uncle Jimmy, was born in Williamston in Martin County, NC on March 19, 1942 to the late Archie Thomas Coltrain, Sr. and Emma Elizabeth "Lib" Sexton Coltrain of Jamesville "Farmlife Community" in Martin County.
Jimmie loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. As an employee of Fine Paper at Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill in Plymouth, NC, Jimmie worked for 36 years and made many lasting friendships. After retirement, he went back to work as a consultant for Voith Fabrics selling felt to the Plymouth paper mill for an additional 5 years. Playing golf was another life long passion of his with many hole-in-ones. He got his famous name Worm from a special golf shot called "The Worm Burner" where he could shoot a straight shot fast and low to the ground. He had a great amount of respect for the Lord and for a period of time served as Deacon at Wilkinson Church of Christ. He and his wife Sylvia made absolutely sure the children were in church every time the doors were opened. He taught his family to appreciate hunting and fishing. When his children were young he loved to take the family hunting and was a member of Green Sea Hunting Club. He shared his passion for fishing with his children and grandchildren. In his early days, he was an avid bass fisherman with so many trophies he had to add extra support beams just to hold them in the attic. The Belhaven Bass Masters club made him aspire to be like Bill Dance and Roland Martin.
He didn't know many strangers. He would joke and cut up with people in the grocery store, on the golf course, at restaurants, on the job, at church, on the hunting club and anywhere he could find someone willing to laugh or talk to him. If you ever met Jimmie you knew in a heartbeat, he was going to keep you entertained. He was a man of many words.
His first love and mother of his children, Sylvia, passed away in 2019. For all of those who knew Jimmie it was apparent he could not enjoy life alone. God placed his second love of his life in his path. He knew Marty many years ago from playing golf with her late husband. They quickly rekindled their friendship and fell in love and were married. The family quickly embraced their love for one another and a new chapter began.
Jimmie was survived by his wife Marty Dail Whritenour of 4 years; a son, James Todd (Amy) Coltrain, their children Zack (Bridgette) Coltrain, Issac (Kelsey) Coltrain, Tanner (Mollie) Coltrain, and Taylor Coltrain (Blake) Sheaffer; a daughter Connie Elizabeth Coltrain (Chris) Martin, their children Kasey Allen (Blake) Riggs, Tyler (Brandy) Allen; son Ronnie Gaylord (Beverly) Coltrain, their children Ethan (Casey) Coltrain, Caleb (Julia) Coltrain; a son Gregory Stewart (Tiffany) Coltrain, their children Mara, Austin, Jewel, Kaylyn Coltrain (Matthew) Jordan, Mollie and Mallorie Coltrain, stepdaughter Marie (Todd) Peele, their children Bailey Hollingsworth, Meadowe Peele and Paden Peele, stepdaughter Michelle (Scott) Oliphant, their children Sandi Gregory, John Schuch, Nicholas (Sky) Schuch. He is also survived by 17 great grandchildren, Christopher, Lexi, Braylee, Miland, Adalyn, Nora, Thea, Clara, Hudson, Tatum, Boone, Emberly, Anderson, Gracelyn, Ada, Judah, Leaven and two more on the way as well as step great grandchildren Aleigha, Bentley, Christian, Brendan, Aria and Rylee. He was preceded in death by first wife of 56 years, Sylvia Ann Shavender Coltrain, his father Archie Thomas Coltrain, Sr., mother Emma Elizebeth "Lib" Sexton Coltrain, his three brothers Archie Thomas "Tommy" Coltrain, Jr., Phillip Wayne Coltrain, Charles Lawrence Coltrain, Sr., and a son-in-law, Hampton "Hampy" Allen. His niece, Lori and husband John Blackburn were only a stone's throw away living next door and shared a very special bond and relationship with Uncle Jimmie.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Coach Doug Barnes "Barnie". He was a lasting friend to Jimmie who called daily when he moved out of the area. Once Jimmie found home at Autumnfield, Barnie came and visited with him daily without fail. In addition, the family is grateful for his caregivers Fran Gibbs, Anita Freeman, Shelia Morgan, Sonya Hopkins, Ronnie Suggs, the staff at Autumnfield Rest Home and Amedisys Hospice Care nurses.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Wilkinson Church of Christ located at 141 Wilkinson Station Road, Pantego, NC. Flowers are welcome and appreciated or donations can be made in Jimmie's name to Wilkinson Church of Christ Building Fund. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Flowers are welcome and appreciated and or donations can be made in Jimmie's name to the Wilkinson Church of Christ by
Joseph B. Paul Jr. Funeral Service is honored to be assisting the Coltrain family.