James Peter Jochum, 89, died from surgical complications on Saturday August 7, 2021 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. Mr. Jochum was born August 5, 1932 in Cicero, Illinois, the son of Peter Aloysius Jochum, an executive of Western Electric Company and Catherine Kenny Jochum a homemaker. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Kenny Jochum; son, Michael Peter Jochum and wives Frances Ochs Jochum and Sammie Mercer Jochum.
For the past 44 years he lived in Greensboro and most recently at WhiteStone. Jim grew up in Illinois and Winston-Salem, NC, graduating from RJ Reynolds High School, where he played on the football team. He was also a graduate of NC State University and received his Master of Science from Texas Tech. Jim retired from Lucent Technology where he worked world-wide as a Product Development Manager and Senior Engineer for US Navy projects for 38 years. Part of these years were lived in Winston-Salem with his first marriage family and later, five years were lived in Yokosuka, Japan with his second marriage family before settling in Greensboro. He was a certified advanced open water diver and a graduate of both the Greensboro Police and Sheriff’s Department Citizen’s Academies.
Jim studied stained glass at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee, and enjoyed working as a stained glass artist. He designed panels and artifacts for homes around Greensboro. Jim was President of “Jochum Industries”, specializing in air purification systems for the home and business. He also served as the first consumer member of the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) in the late 1990’s. Jim served two years as President of the NC Bluebird Society and continued to enjoy making presentations to garden clubs and businesses in and out of the State. He had been active in bluebird conservation in the State for the past 25 years. Nothing made him happier than hearing someone needed help erecting a bluebird nestbox. Jim enjoyed many hobbies and was very active in his retirement years: bicycling daily, building and repairing nestboxes, installing air purification systems, and being the “Mr. Fix It” man. There was literally nothing he couldn’t fix. His first and second marriage families would also agree chocolate chip ice cream might be the secret to his sharp mind and longevity. He ate a ton of it! He was a parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church and his ashes will rest in the #12 niche in the Columbarium.
Surviving are a son, James Edward Jochum of Oak Island; daughter, Sammie Theresa Jochum Goodwin (Rusty) of Lewisville; stepson, Paulo Jose’ DaSilva Nery of London, UK; grandchildren, Kristen Lane Reece Harrington (James) of Pittsboro, Kaitlin Elizabeth Goodwin of Durham, Jacqueline Nicole Jochum of Burlington and Samantha Lee Jochum Sykes (Daniel) of Gibsonville; step-grandson, William Lucas Nery of Chapel Hill and Great grandchildren; Boman Cole Reece Collins and Arabella Eve Reece Harrington of Pittsboro, Hunter Nicole Wilson of Burlington and River Lee Sykes of Gibsonville.
The family wishes to thank all the doctors, nurses, assistants, transporters and aids at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for their compassionate care during the ongoing staffing shortage crisis.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday August 31 at 11:00am at St. Pius X Catholic Church 2210 North Elm Street, Greensboro with internment immediately following the Mass. The Reverend Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio will be the celebrant for the mass, with Reverend Father Louis Canino ofm as co-celebrant. Due to the recent Covid mask mandate for Guilford County, the family requests that masks be worn throughout the service and internment.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Franciscan Center 233 N. Greene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401, or the NC Bluebird Society 4600 Chandler Grove Court, Raleigh, NC 27612. Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Jochum family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18