James "Jim" Dupont McPhail

Aviation veteran Jim McPhail passed away at home on June 27, 2024.

Jim, 76, was born in Irvine, Kentucky and was predeceased by his parents, his mother, Mary Opal Lawson McPhail; his father, Granville Baldwin McPhail; and siblings, Dorothy McPhail Gannon and Robert B. McPhail (Pam).

After graduation from Estill County High School, Jim attended the University of Kentucky/Eastern Kentucky University where he earned his degree in Business Administration. From an early age, Jim was always part of a team. Whether with his family, sister Dot, brother Bob, as a member of the United States Army or as a manager for the UK basketball team coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp. Jim was also recognized with the Kentucky Gentlemen and Dukes of Hazard designations.

Jim always felt the “need for speed”. In the Army he flew fixed wing and rotary powered aircraft. He also raced BMW motorcycles and was known to take his BMW Roadster or Porsche to the Virginia International Raceway to turn a few laps.

Once in the private sector, Jim put his financial mind to work and successfully mentored many customers, but his true love was aviation. In the mid 1990’s he decided to chase his dream and began flying for a Fixed Base Operator in Greensboro, NC. In 1996, he began his career with Piedmont Aviation Services and was instrumental in their growth. He joined several other aviation legends and began the process to secure an airline certificate for Piedmont Aviation which they promptly named Pace Airlines. Jim was instrumental in growing Pace from 4 managed airplanes to 21 aircraft including Boeing 737, 757 and 767 aircraft. When Pace was sold in 2009, Jim joined his Pace teammates to start North State Aviation.

Jim and his partners founded North State in 2010. The company grew to over 400 employees and while the road was often filled with potholes or curves, Jim always kept his eye on the ball and made sure everyone moved forward. After Jim retired in 2017, his teammates kept him in tune with developments within the organization. The company was sold to MRO Holdings in 2020 and continues to operate at 4001 N. Liberty Street; 14 years after its beginning.

Jim is survived by his niece, Jennifer Forseth (Adam) from Louisville, Kentucky.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00pm, August 10, 2024 at Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel, 6000 Gate City Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27407. A reception will immediately follow in the Funeral Home Reception Hall.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com