James William Kluttz

James William Kluttz died May 13, 2025. Born at China Grove, NC, November 10, 1928 to the late Bascom Calvin and Margie Glover Kluttz, he graduated from China Grove High School and received a degree in Civil Engineering at NC State University. A veteran of the US Army Corps of Engineers, he did mapping in the Philippines.

James married Betty Ann Howe of Raleigh in 1953, and they lived in Greensboro, Landis, and Cary, NC. He worked for the City of Greensboro as a design engineer and was later promoted to Assistant Director of Public Works. They moved to Landis, NC in 1965 where he was active in commercial construction, and was later self-employed.

He joined Eureka Masonic Lodge #283 in China Grove in 1950, has held amateur radio call WA4ONO since 1963, and was a member of Cary Presbyterian Church. He had been a licensed Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in North Carolina.

After retirement, he and Betty researched their family history, and James published several books of land records and maps that helped catalog the early history of Rowan County, NC.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Betty. Survivors are daughter Helen Smith and husband Scott Smith; grandchildren Teresa Porter and husband Justin Porter; Phillip Smith and wife Gina Smith; and great grandchildren Cecelia Porter, Mason Smith and Bryson Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.