James Matthew Westbrook Sr. passed away on January 29, 2019. He was a lifelong native of Eastern NC, and graduated from New Bern High School. He lettered in football, baseball, and basketball, and still holds unbroken records in football and baseball. He was drafted into pro-baseball for Chicago, and played for the Carolina League for many years. He coached Babe Ruth Baseball for 38 years, and was a lifelong UNC - Chapel Hill Rams Club member. He was a decorated war veteran and sergeant in the Korean War, and loved his country. He worked at Cherry Point on harriers until retirement. He was active in his church for 51 years, and a deacon.
He is survived by his daughter, Rose Williams and husband Bruce, his son, James "Jay" M.Westbrook Jr., grandchildren,Trinity Lee and husband Shane of Currie, NC, and Mia Westbrook of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Visitation will be at 1 PM with a service at 2 PM on Saturday, February 9 at Sherwood Forest FWB Church in New Bern.
Burial will be on February 11 at 2 PM at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, NC.
