James Clarence Hord

James Clarence Hord, Charlotte native and local attorney, passed away of a heart attack at his home on April 5, 2021, at age 78. James was born on January 31, 1943, to James Odell Hord, a mill worker and minister, and Lela Harrison Hord, a homemaker and musician.

A proud Charlottean, James grew up in the NoDa neighborhood (before it was called that) and graduated from Garinger High School in 1962. After graduation, James joined the Air Force. Following basic training in San Antonio, he was stationed with the 484th Combat Support Group at Turner Air Force Base in Georgia. James then attended East Carolina University on the GI Bill. There he majored in political science and worked on the student newspaper, the East Carolinian. At ECU, he met and married his wife Joyce. After college, James was a social studies teacher in Currituck, N.C., while he saved money for law school. James then completed his law degree at the University of Tennessee and moved back home to start his business in Charlotte. In 1980, he opened his bankruptcy law practice at Koger Executive Center on Albemarle Road. For the next 41 years, he helped thousands of clients and opened a second office in Hickory, North Carolina, to serve the Hickory and Statesville area. In later years, he moved his law practice in Charlotte to the Independence Tower, aka the “Gold Building.”

An avid traveler, James loved checking destinations off his “bucket list.” Some of his favorite trips were to England, Germany, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, Yosemite, Pikes Peak, the Grand Canyon, Alaska, and the Caribbean. He enjoyed long hours exploring museums and often joked that it was his mission to make it all the way through the Smithsonian. His other favorite pastimes included reading thick history books, coin collecting (he was thrilled to obtain a gold coin from the Charlotte Mint), and attending live concerts. As an Air Force veteran, he and his friends traveled the Carolinas to attend dozens of air shows. Every other weekend, you could find James heading either to sunny Myrtle Beach or to his beloved North Carolina mountains, where for many years he had a second home in Boone. But his greatest love was his family. James spoke proudly of his children and his grandson, Gabe. He passed his love of travel, history, politics, and writing to his kids, and was always supportive and encouraging to them.

James was preceded in death by his son, Michael Wayne Hord, and his twin brother, John Lester Hord. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Mozingo Hord; daughter, Sharon Hord Forret and her husband, Jeff; grandson, Gabe Forret; brother Ernest Hord; nieces Carolyn Hord Manikas and Karen Hord; and nephews David Hord and Steven Hord.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 10, 2021, at McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM, with a graveside service after at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Arrangements are in the care of McEwen Funeral Service Mint Hill Chapel at 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227. Online condolences can be shared at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.