James Wilburn Wooten

WOOTEN WINSTON SALEM, NC. James Wilburn Wooten November 6, 2011 James Wilburn Wooten, a well respected and much beloved champion in the field of Olympic style archery passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2011 of complications from heart surgery. He was North Carolina's archery champion for many years running and a frequent finalist in the Olympic tryouts. Even after retiring from competition for several years, many of his world records still stand and the trophies accumulated from a lifetime of competition by he and his wife Ruby of 62 years (herself a respected Olympic style archer) once filled the entire attic of their home. After splitting world champion Daryl Pace's arrow in the bull's-eye at the U.S. Olympic Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, CO, Wilburn was interviewed by Sports Illustrated where he grinned and remarked "I told Daryl to keep his arrows out of my way." On another occasion at the U.S. Olympic Sports Festival in Baton Rouge, LA, he was interviewed by ABC Sports as the oldest competitor at the competition and said "I may not win today but I sure will make the young kids work to beat me." He was a coach and mentor to many in the sport and was a Pro Staff shooter for Hoyt Archery for several years. He was also close personal friends with legendary bow maker Earl Hoyt and his wife Ann until their passing and frequently received early prototypes and early productions of Earl's bows for evaluation. Although right handed, Wilburn shot left handed, a technique he used to relearn archery after "learning to shoot the wrong way the first time". In addition to his other talents, he was an accomplished guitarist and singer. He and his Martin guitar often provided delightful entertainment in the evenings at archery tournaments, in churches, and at family get togethers. The repertoire of songs he could draw right off the top of his head was astonishing and it was a rare evening when folks didn't request their favorites. He and his brothers Allen and Rober were avid hunters and fishermen from youth and ranged from the mountains to the coast in search of game. In 1957, he caught the largest Amberjack in NC for that year. Even well into his late 70s Wilburn, his son Jim, and friend Mahlon Pendry would spend 3 weeks a year camping down in the Uhawarries, putting up tree stands and bow hunting for deer. Wilburn was born in Winston-Salem and graduated from Grey High School in 1948 and was active in the drama club there. Wilburn was a big man, 6'4" and a lean 245 lbs with massive hands. After graduation, he boxed for a few years and was a Golden Gloves Boxing champion in North Carolina and drove a tractor trailer for Brown Rogers Dixon. He raised his family across the street from his mother in a home that he and his brothers built. He worked at Western Electric as a master machinist until his retirement and is survived by his wife Ruby; his brother Allen and wife Margaret of Winston-Salem; his daughter, Shellie Wooten Tow of Lewisville; his son, Jim of Angier and wife, Anna; and five grandsons, Josh Tow of Lewisville, Casey Tow of Lewisville, James Wooten and wife Susan of Lexington, KY; Chris Wooten of Denver, CO; and Andy Wooten of Cornelius. He was preceded in death by his mother, Janie Leagans Wooten; his father Arther Lykirgus Wooten; his brother Rober; and his sister Clara. Wilburn was brought to the Lord by Victor Murchison in the late 40s and attended Winston-Salem Friends meeting until the early 1970s when Forsyth Friends was formed. He helped to build the meeting house there and remained a member there until his passing, often leading the singing, in the choir, and as Sunday school teacher. People often talk of "the Greatest Generation". Wilburn was the epitome of that generation and all of the lives of those he came in contact with were enriched. He will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Forsyth Friends Church, 800 Jonestown Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, at Forsyth Friends Meeting with burial to follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at Salem Funeral Home on Main Street. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.