James Carl Page Jr., 79, died Nov. 1, 2009 at UNC Hospitals. A longtime resident of Chapel Hill, Jim was born Aug. 19, 1930 in Thomaston, Ga. to James Carl Page and Georgia Mae (Dumas) Page.
Jim grew up in Thomaston, Ga. and Leaksville and Henderson, N.C. After graduating from Henderson High School in 1948, Jim completed two years at Mars Hill Junior College and went on to UNC-Chapel Hill, where he graduated in 1952 with a business degree. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity while at UNC.
Upon graduation, he began his career with Roses Stores as a manager, working in Dunn, N.C., Virginia Beach, Va., Williamston, N.C. and finally returning to his beloved Chapel Hill, where he remained until 1968. Ever an entrepreneur, he opened the Western Auto Store in Carrboro, which he ran until he retired in 1988.
Jim was married to Mary Frances Futrell (deceased) from 1954 to 1979, Edith Diggs Ray (deceased) from 1981 to 2007 and Joan Hartsfield since 2008. He is survived by his three children, Albert (Bert) Page and his wife, Marsha, of Dallas, Texas, Mary Bryan Fleenor and husband, Dale, of Orleans, Ind. and David Page of Chesapeake, Va.; grandchildren, Robert, Hudson and Bethany Page; C.J, Brittany and Nicholas Fleenor; and James, Robin and Daniel Page; and his dearest Anita Summers of Chapel Hill. Also surviving are his brother Bill and wife, Bernadette, of Bethlehem, Pa., Vic Davis of Carrboro, Don Davis of Tallahassee, Fla. and Robin Gainey of Raleigh.
Jim was a charter member of the Carrboro Business Association, a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and served as a board member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Merchants Association. He was a lifetime member of the Jaycees and the Roosters Club and attended the Carrboro United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir for many years.
Jim will be remembered for his quick and cheerful smile, his generous spirit and his willing heart and hands, and greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A memorial service and a celebration of Jim’s life will be held Nov. 28 at the Carrboro United Methodist Church, 200 Hillsborough Road at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions in the memory of Jim Page may be made to Carrboro United Methodist Church.