James "Jim" Norwood Canady

Jim was one of six children born to the late Ruffin and Aline Canady. He was born on March 1, 1947 in Johnston County and grew up around Clayton.

He graduated from Clayton High School in 1965, took several classes at Wake Technical College, and while taking a summer break his motivation took him to California to work with his brother, Thomas Ray.

Upon returning to Clayton, Jim applied to IBM Corporation and worked his way up through the ranks by taking any and all classes and training. Over the next 25 years before retiring as a Senior System Engineer in the POS division, he got to travel Europe for work as he was considered a coveted asset to anyone’s team. After coming down with Type 1 diabetes led him to retire from IBM.

He became an encyclopedia of knowledge on the disease as he struggled with it trying to maintain an active lifestyle. His determined motivation kicked in as he traveled to Florida to obtain his golf instructor’s license where he shot many rounds below par at Spyglass and Doral. He continued playing as much golf as possible with many friends around Hedingham & Wilmar Golf courses while rejoining IBM as a contract employee for a few more years.

Through the years, Jim enjoyed many hobbies and activities. He really enjoyed playing his guitar, which he was quite good at. He enjoyed fishing/hunting in his younger years, then bowling, tennis, but none compared to spending time and dancing with Anne and the Jackson’s. One might say Jim Canady excelled at any endeavor he pursued!

Jim had a great sense of humor that only he could deliver. He made friends easily and enjoyed spending time with them before his health declined. His kindheartedness, hard work ethic, and the love of the Lord will be missed. He loved his family and helped care for his dad before his passing.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Timothy Wayne Canady, grandson, Nicholas James Canady both of Wilmington, NC, His three sisters Ruby Marie Atchison of Clayton, Sandra Faye Astudillo of Las Vegas, and Judith Elaine Irwin of Clayton, brother-in-law Christopher Lee Colavito of Clayton plus several nieces and nephews, and his life partner Anne Canady of Raleigh, NC, three step-children and six step-grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as Papa Jim.

A special thanks goes out to Jim's Hope Mills friends who he loved as family, Bette Hemmingway, Jermaine & Lupe Jarrett and Roberta & Rico Grady. Your help, friendship and dedication to Jim's daily needs will forever be appreciated by Tim and the entire Canady family.

Jim was preceded in death by his dad James Ruffin Canady (2002), his mother, Maggie Aline Canady (1995), his older brother, Thomas Ray Canady, (1983), and youngest sister, Mary Rose Canady Colavito, (2021).

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration/memorial service that will be held in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/by-mail 1-800-342-2383 Or the Mayo Clinic : www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes-in-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20355306 1-904-953-2000 to contribution to Type I, Juvenile Diabetes.