Jesse Sykes Basnight Sr.

Mr. Jesse Sykes Basnight, Sr., passed away Friday, August 18, 2006, while vacationing in Cashiers, NC. Born in 1930, Jesse was a lifetime resident and business owner in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. He was the son of Pearl McNeil and Stein Hughes Basnight. He was a partner in S.H. Basnight & Sons Hardware with his brother, Bill, a company started by their father in 1924.
A graduate of Chapel Hill High School, Jesse attended NC State University and the University of North Carolina. He was very proud of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. As a teenager, his family moved to the country where he was able pursue his love of farming.
When he turned twenty-five, he became interested in golf. His love of golf produced many area championships including the Orange County Open and the Chapel Hill Country Club tournament. He continued to play well until his death.
He was involved in numerous community activities serving on the board of Caramore (a mental health advocacy organization), the Leukemia Foundation, and Governors Task Force for Heart and Stoke prevention. He was co-founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Chapel Hill High School, as well as a member of East Chapel Hill Rotary and Culbreth and Chapel Hill High School booster clubs. Having played football in high school and college, he served as and enjoyed almost 40 years as host to football teams visiting Kenan Memorial Stadium - a labor of love. His first love was his family. He married Elinor Wagner, his childhood sweetheart. They were married 56 years.
He is survived by his loving wife and three children, Gail Olivia Basnight, Jesse, Jr., and Richard Hughes Basnight, all of whom adored their father. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Janis, and the apple of his eye; his two granddaugthers, Lindsay and Ashley Basnight. He is also survived by his sister, Jean Basnight Hoft, of Washington, NC, sister-in-law, Dorothy Basnight, of Chapel Hill; and several nieces and nephews.
Jesse was preceded in death by his youngest son, Stephen Howard, who passed away in 2003.
A memorial service will be held Monday, August 21, 2006, at 2:00 at University Presbyterian Church on Franklin Street.
The family will receive friends in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and the North Carolina Mental Health Association.