James "Rick" Richard Balentine

Mr. James Richard “Rick" Balentine died Monday, February 26, 2024 after an extended illness. A native Charlottean, Rick was born on July 9, 1946. He graduated from East Mecklenburg High School and attended Wingate College.

Rick worked as an area sales manager for Salem Carpet, Mills, General Electric, and B&B Leather Company. After a career in sales, Rick founded his own construction company and worked for 20 years as a general contractor.

Rick was devoted to three loves: his wife, Kathy, golf, and shag dancing. Before his illness Rick played several times a week at Charles T. Myers golf course and worked part-time for two years as a marshal at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation in Mint Hill. He learned to dance at an early age, working summers in Ocean Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC. He and Kathy met when he asked her to dance at Bopper's Shag Club. He found a family community of fellow shaggers at Lynn's Dance Club where Rick and Kathy spent many happy hours, dancing the night away with friends.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters, Ashley Balentine and Leslie Steen; sister, Becky Balentine; and brother, Alan Balentine all of Charlotte.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Matthews Presbyterian Church, 207 West John Street, Matthews NC. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Aldersgate, 1825 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC 28205.