James Brady "JB" Lutz Sr.

James Brady “JB” Lutz, Sr., age 97, died on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Catawba Regional Hospice in Newton. Born March 9, 1918 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Jacob Ottis Lutz and Essie Propst Lutz.

JB was a lifelong member of New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC. His first job was at Conover Chair, but soon returned to his first love of Dairy Farming. He milked cows for several years, later raising beef cows, growing grain and various other crops. While farming, he also worked and retired from Royster Farm Center. JB found great joy in planting a large garden and watching it grow. He read 2 newspapers every day, loved watching sports, loved sweet treats, and when it became hard to get around, JB found a new love “his golf cart”.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Margaret Bost Lutz; his son, James “Jim” Brady Lutz, Jr.; brothers, Ralph Lutz, Richard Lutz, Carl Lutz, Harold Lutz, and Charles Lutz; and sisters, Violet Hollar, and Dorothy Sigmon.

He is survived by daughters, Margaret Ann Biggs, of Newton, Frances Abernethy and husband, Charles, of Maiden, Linda Hefner, of Newton; daughter-in-law, Ann Reagan Lutz, of Newton; 9 grandchildren, Lee Lawing and wife, Heidi, Millie Hierlinger, Dennis Lawing and wife, Donna, Janet Elder and husband, Bill, Debbie LeFever and husband, Michael, Scott Abernethy and wife, Sonya, Reggie Abernethy and wife, Amanda, Teresa Sigmon, Angela Hollar; 12 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; and his special friend, Lib Hubbard.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016 at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Hickory with Rev. Randall Cauble officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2120 Startown Rd., Hickory, NC 28602, or to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.