Francis Duke James Sr

Waynesville, NC – Francis Duke James, Sr., age 80, passed away June 24, 2017 at The Homestead. Duke was born in Mocksville, NC on September 15, 1936, to the late Clarence Bruce, Sr. and Laura Grace Sheek James. Duke and his wife owned and operated Hazelwood Pharmacy for many years. He loved and enjoyed his children, grandchildren and his church family at Faith United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, Duke is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Geraldine Keenum James; his daughter, Carolyn James; brothers, CB “Bo” James, Jr., George James, Sr., and Bailey James; and his sister, Mary Nell Holman. Left to cherish Duke’s memory are his son, Duke James, Jr.; daughter, Cami James Shelton and husband, Terry; three grandchildren, Trey Thompson and wife, Morgan, Megan James and (Jeremy Clark), and Gracie Shelton; great-grandchildren, Mason and Clayton Clark; brothers, Jimmie James, Ikey James, Chester James; sister, Cami James; sisters-in-law Wanda James, Cindy James, Carolyn Lonnblad and Clara Keenum. He also is survived many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and special friend, Puggie. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 30, at Faith United Methodist Church with the Reverend Mike Rich and the Reverend John Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. The James family would like to offer a word of thanks to the staffs at Haywood Regional Medical Center, Autumn Care Nursing, The Homestead, and Hazelwood Family Medicine for the care they provided for Duke. A message of comfort may be left to the family and an online guest registry may be signed at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com