Jimmy M. Sigmon

Jimmy Maran Sigmon, born October 15, 1929 in Claremont, Catawba County NC, the elder son of Claude Maran Sigmon and Macy Gantt Sigmon, died Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Catawba Regional Hospice at Sherrills Ford NC.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Vernon Gantt Sigmon and grandson, Alec Calvin Sigmon.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Setzer Sigmon of the home; daughter, Melissa Katherine Sigmon Fields and her husband William Franklin Fields of Mint Hill; son, Jimmy Maran Sigmon Jr. and his wife Keva Wilson Sigmon and their daughter Chelsea Miranda Sigmon Johnston and her husband Robert Davidson Johnston, all of Boone; son, Eric Calvin Sigmon and his friend Penny Newsome, his daughters, Jessica Joy Sigmon and Julia Jeanette Sigmon, all of Claremont; sister, Miriam Sigmon Neumier and her husband Arny Neumier of Claremont, her children Lori McGrath Hayes, Matthew McGrath and Jonna McGrath Rowe; sister-in-law Pansy Lee Sigmon of Norwood and her children, Gantt Sigmon, Cory Sigmon and Michael Sigmon.

Jimmy was baptized January 19, 1930 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Claremont NC, by the Rev. Laurence W. Miller with parents as sponsors, and confirmed June 4, 1944 by Rev. Miller at St. Mark's. A lifelong member of St. Mark's he served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, Deacon, Elder, and Vice-President of Congregation, and was a member of the Men's Club. He was a former member of the Claremont Optimist Club. He enjoyed golf with his friends at Rock Barn Golf Club playing his last round on January 18, 2015. His family fondly remembers fishing trips to the coast, and growing a bountiful harvest in the family garden for many years under his leadership.

He attended Claremont schools. In three years he earned, in 1950, an AB in Business Administration from Catawba College, Salisbury NC. He began teaching at Oxford Elementary, Catawba County Schools, at age 20. He shortly joined the U. S. Navy and served on a submarine tender out of San Diego and a troop transporter out of San Francisco. He embarked regularly to Korea, Japan, and the Far East. After his honorable discharge in 1954 he returned to Oxford Elementary, teaching seventh and eighth grades and coaching basketball for 13 years. During this period he also worked part time and summers for Modern TV and Appliance, with his father. He left teaching in 1967, began selling equipment to schools, and then became a Claremont rural mail carrier. After 20 years of faithful duty, he retired from the US Postal Service.

The family will receive from 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm Sunday, February 8 in the Sanctuary, at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Claremont, with the Memorial Service following at 3:00 pm. Pastors Gary Haddock, Paul Christ, Matthew McGrath will officiate. Burial will be immediately after in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Claremont.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers. Friends will serve as pallbearers.