James Epting Sr.

James Edward “Jim” Epting, Sr., of Salisbury died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, at Beacon Place Hospice and Palliative Care in Greensboro. Born Sept. 12, 1932, in Lexington, he was the third child of Keller Vernon Epting Sr. and Mary Owen Epting. The family moved to Salisbury in 1934, where they became members of St. John's Lutheran Church. With the exception of three years in Siler City, where Jim was editor of three weekly newspapers, he and his family attended St. John's. Jim attended Wiley Elementary School and was a graduate of Boyden High School. In 1954, he received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Catawba College. While a day student at Catawba, he played on the tennis team, delivered an afternoon paper route, and worked part-time at both Mooney's Restaurant and at the Salisbury Post, where he covered night ball games, and bundled papers in the mailroom. He later studied urban planning at the Georgia Institute of Technology and economic development at Rowan Community College. Jim was drafted into the Army on Aug. 3, 1954, and stationed at Fort Jackson. He served as a company clerk and head of security of the 501st Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He also helped coach basketball and golf events and published a division newspaper. He returned to Salisbury in 1956. From 1951 to 1966, he was a sports reporter and photographer for the Salisbury Post. He was general manager and editor for the Siler City, Liberty and Pittsboro weekly newspapers from 1966 to 1969. Following his newspaper career, he was a regional industrial development representative for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, serving 33 counties in promoting industrial recruiting efforts, working with local governments and prospects from throughout the world. He often said during that career that the old reporter in him still surfaced from time to time. He retired in September 1994. He was active in the N.C. Industrial Development Association, and several economic development boards. He and his wife formed HFE Realty, serving Rowan County and the surrounding areas for a number of years. A longtime member of Salisbury Country Club, Jim loved golf and won a number of events. He teamed with his brother, Sonny, in the annual Labor Day golf tournament at the club, and he participated in golf tournaments throughout the Carolinas. He was especially proud to have participated several times in the Pro-Am of the Greater Greensboro Open (now the Wyndham Championship). He received awards from the N.C. Golf Writers Association. For more than 25 years, Jim was a member of “The Wink's Bunch,” a group of men who met for coffee every weekday morning. In his retirement years, this gathering of friends became the highlight of his day and the source of many strong and enduring friendships. Jim was the eternal optimist, the kind of guy whose glass was always half-full. He was extremely proud of his family, his home, and his beautiful yard. Jim was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 61 years, Hazel Lee Fisher Epting, whom he married June 13, 1954; a daughter, Mitzi Epting Kicklighter Snipes; his brother, K.V. “Sonny” Epting, Jr.; and his sister, Mary Emma Epting Kanaley. Survivors include a daughter, Andrea Epting Powell and husband Vernon of Greensboro; a son, James Edward Epting, Jr. and wife Meredith of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Rob Ketner and wife Rebecca of Winston-Salem, Andrew Ketner and fiancée Jessica Jensen of Greensboro, Julian Powell and wife Judith of Charlotte, Betts Powell-Angel and husband Jeremy of Marietta, Ga., Mandy Spencer and husband Steve of Camden, S.C., Hope Collins and husband Colby of Greenville, S.C., Amy Woody and husband Dent of Camden, S.C., Carrie Brown and husband Eric of Atlanta, and Eryn Epting, Emerson Epting, Lulu Congrave and Max Congrave, all of Atlanta; great-grandsons, Philip and Christopher Angel of Marietta, and Thomas Spencer of Camden; son-in-law, Gary Snipes of Camden; brother, Bill Epting of Ocean Isle; sister-in-law, Eulene Fisher Shepherd of Thomasville, sister-in-law Pat Epting of Salisbury; and a number of nieces and nephews. Arrangements: A celebration of Mr.Epting's life is set for 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 27, in the Sanctuary of St. John's Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St, Salisbury, NC Visitation will be in Peeler Hall following the service. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: St. John's Lutheran Church Music Fund, 200 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144; the Hazel and James Epting International Study Fund, UNCG Advancement Services, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402; Catawba College, 2300 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144; or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of Beacon Place, and the Palliative Care Team of Moses Cone Hospital for their compassionate care and wise counsel. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Epting family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.