James Edward Gilreath

“Ed” “Pepaw”

Mr. Gilreath, 86, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC and formerly of Charlotte, passed away Friday, December 9, 2011. Born January 4, 1925 in Charlotte, he was a son of the late John Franklin Gilreath, Sr. and Florence Baker Gilreath.

Mr. Gilreath graduated from Berryhill High School and Belmont Abbey College and served in World War II in the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army as a merchant mariner. He was the co-owner of Gill Manufacturing Company and retired in 1984. He was also a lifelong member of Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church.

Mr. Gilreath’s greatest passion was his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved NASCAR racing, golf, piloting his planes, and landscaping.

He is survived by Virginia Nordman Gilreath, his wife of 60½ years; his daughter, Debra Gilreath-Morgan and her husband, Robert Eugene Morgan; and his brother, John Franklin Gilreath, Jr.

His family also includes his grandchildren, Toney Cannon (Jennifer), Carrie Henderson (Terry), Adrienne Morgan, and Amanda Berkman (Ash); and great grandchildren, Jasmine Cannon, Samantha and Taylor Cannon, Noah Henderson, Christian Morgan, Sarah Shipp and Mya Berkman.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Mable Keplinger and Mary Lou Conklin; nieces, Fran Gilreath and Joan Keplinger; and a nephew, Pete Conklin.

A service to celebrate Mr. Gilreath’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 13th in the chapel of Forest Lawn West Funeral Home with the Reverend Frieda Porter officiating and Carl Givens as soloist. His family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Private entombment with military honors will be in the Community Mausoleum of Forest Lawn West Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent the American Cancer Society or to Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church – Honduras Mission Trip.