Alfred James Basham

Alfred James “Jim” Basham, Jr., of Cary, North Carolina, passed away on October 31, 2025. He was surrounded by love, with Jim — his oldest son — and his granddaughter Allison, Alfred’s youngest granddaughter, by his side. They were two of his favorite people.

Alfred was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on October 10, 1936. He was the son of the late Alfred James Basham, Sr., and Marie (Austin) Basham.

He was employed by IBM, where he worked for 27 years, and he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.

Alfred was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Patricia Boltin Basham, who passed away in 2017, and by his son, Mark Basham, who passed away in 2014.

He was a dedicated member of White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary and an active member of Cary Masonic Lodge No. 198, where he also served as Past Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Back in the early 1990s, when the Yates Mill Pond Restoration Group was searching for someone to design and build a replacement water wheel for the old grist mill at Yates Mill, no one could be found with the knowledge or skill to take on the challenge—until they found Alfred. With just one assistant, he worked tirelessly from start to finish to create a fully functional, historically accurate water wheel that still stands as a testament to his craftsmanship and determination.

Alfred was an exceptionally talented woodworker and a lifelong learner. He served as President of the Triangle Woodturners Association for five years, hosting numerous symposiums and teaching woodturning classes in his home shop in Cary. His fine woodworking pieces were even featured in the North Carolina Museum of Art.

He was a man of intelligence, creativity, and quiet strength. As his oldest son often says, “The older I get, the smarter my father becomes.”

Alfred is survived by his sons, James Basham, Sr. (wife Terry), of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jeffrey Basham of Cary, North Carolina. He is also survived by three grandchildren—Cherise Thomas, Allison Basham, and James Basham—and three great-grandchildren: Jacob Thomas, Lucy Thomas, and Benjamin Thomas.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with Masonic rites and military honors.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the White Plains United Methodist Church Music Program.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the nurses and staff at Brookdale Memory Care on Chapel Hill Road, the teams at WakeMed Cary Hospital, and everyone at Transitions LifeCare Hospice for their kindness and compassion.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown-Wynne Funeral Home of Cary is honored to serve the Basham family.