Jesse Edward Oxendine

Jesse Edward Oxendine, 90, of Charlotte, NC, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on February 10, 2017. Jesse was born in Pembroke, NC, on July 20, 1926, the sixth of seven children born to Dorcas and James C. Oxendine. He was preceded in death by siblings Mabel Oxendine, James Howard Oxendine, Simeon Oxendine, Ruth Oxendine Renkiewicz, and William Earl Oxendine. His surviving sibling is Harry Oxendine of Pembroke, NC. Jesse was pre-deceased by his wife of 59 years and the love of his life, Jewel Harmon Oxendine. Daughters Pamela Oxendine and Michelle Oxendine Banks also preceded him in death. His surviving children are Jenny Oxendine D’Entremont and her husband Brian, and Mark Edward Oxendine and his wife Karen of Charlotte, NC. His proudest achievements were his four grandchildren Riley Harmon Oxendine, Rachel Anne Oxendine, Coleton Russell Banks, and Carson Jesse Banks. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Jesse enjoyed an idyllic childhood with his brothers and sisters in Pembroke, NC. A proud Native American trailblazer, he cherished his Lumbee heritage. His earliest achievement was earning the rank of an Eagle Scout at age 16. He graduated from Pembroke High School in 1944 and was drafted into the military in the same year.

Jesse served his country with distinction in World War II with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. He was proud to be apart of the division that liberated Wobbelin concentration camp near Ludwigslust, Germany on May 2nd, 1945. Witnessing the horror of World War II and the Holocaust, he committed his life to educating younger generations about his experiences. He spoke often of meeting Elie Wiesel and thoroughly enjoyed each speaking engagement at local schools, synagogues and churches.

After the war, he graduated from Pembroke State College where he was the quarterback of their first football team. From there he went on to the Medical College of South Carolina Pharmacy School and became the first licensed Native American pharmacist in North Carolina. He founded, owned, and operated King Drugs in Charlotte for over 40 years.

Jesse remained active in his retirement by organizing annual reunions for the 82nd Airborne, by serving on the Board of Trustees at Pembroke State University, and serving faithfully as a charter member of Providence Baptist Church. He generously established an Endowment Scholarship for pharmacy students at the University at UNC-Pembroke. He served others by volunteering as a pharmacist for the Men’s Homeless Shelter of Charlotte. Finally, in the last years of his life, with the help of his dear friend Kim Fox, he successfully wrote and published a love story to his hometown called “Memories of Pembroke, NC”

He dedicated his life to faith, family, and to service of his country and community. Jesse Oxendine leaves many legacies in North Carolina. One of his most heroic achievements was as a faithful and dedicated caregiver for his wife over the many years of her journey struggling with Alzheimer’s. He was instrumental in the reestablishment of the football program at UNC-Pembroke. He donated treasured artifacts from his service in World War II to the Native American Resource Center in Pembroke. The preservation of history was paramount to Jesse. In his words, “I have written my story so my children and grandchildren can read about that little boy who grew up in Pembroke, North Carolina, and who turned out to be their father and grandfather.”

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 13th from 6:30-8:30pm at McEwen Funeral Service, Charlotte Chapel located at 5716 Monroe Road in Charlotte.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, February 14th at 11 am at Providence Baptist Church located at 4921 Randolph Road in Charlotte. Graveside service to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Oxendine Endowment Fund, www.cappex.com/meritScholarships/University-of-North-Carolina-at-Pembroke-199281.

Arrangements are under the care of McEwen Funeral Service. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mcewenfs.com.