John Hampton Carswell Sr.

John Hampton Carswell, Senior, 83, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, October 21, 2004 at UNC Hospital after a short period of declining health.
Mr. Carswell was born May 2, 1921, in Winston-Salem, NC. He was the son of the late Ransom Fred Carswell and Mamie Carswell. He was married to the late Janet Adcock Carswell for 53 years prior to her death in 2002.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy in 1943, Mr. Carswell began working as a pharmacist in Chapel Hill, where he worked for over 50 years. In 1949, he opened Colonial Drug Store, on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, which he proudly owned and operated until his retirement in 1998. The store was well known for the fountain which served freshly squeezed limeades, lemonades, and the most famous, "Big O", or orangeades, along with home made chicken, tuna, and egg salad, which his late wife Janet made to serve. He was an avid Carolina fan and kept close watch on his beloved Tar Heels. He forged many friendships through the years with players and students on UNC who frequented the drugstore. One could always find the game blaring from the radio on WCHL at his drugstore for football and basketball and each year he proudly hung the team pictures with many signatures which he saved from year to year and displayed. Most of all, he was known for the good care he gave numerous patrons with their pharmacy needs.
He is survived by four sons: John Hampton Carswell, Jr. of Raleigh, Fred Carswell and wife, Leslie of Henderson, NC, Larry Carswell of Chapel Hill, Tom Carswell and wife, Joy of Cary. Four grandchildren also survive, Meredith Carswell Sheline of Birmingham, Alabama, Kathleen Elizabeth Carswell of Henderson, John Hampton Carswell, III and Caroline Carswell, both of Goldsboro.
Mr. Carswell was a member of Farrington Road Baptist Church, where Rev. Jim Greenlee will hold a memorial service Monday, October 25, at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends after the service at the church.
The family requests that flowers be omitted. Memorials may be made to Farrington Road Baptist Church, or to the First Baptist Church of Henderson Youth Mission Fund.