James "Jim" Toole Fain III

James Toole Fain, III of Raleigh, NC passed away surrounded by loving family and friends on June 7, 2023 at the age of 80, after shepherding his family through the passing of his beloved wife, Peggy, in January of 2022.

Jim was born on May 22, 1943 in Hendersonville, NC to James T. Fain, Jr. and his wife Thomasina Shepherd Fain. The family set down their roots in the community as the owners of the Hendersonville Times News newspaper which is where his deep motivation to serve others was informed by the family's emphasis on leadership, compassion and empathy, driving forces for both the Fain and Shepherd Families. Jim headed "down the mountain" to his beloved University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he made lifelong friends as a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. He also found the time to earn his BA and MBA degrees, and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma while at the Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Jim's life was forever changed when he was introduced to his future bride Peggy on a blind date on the Bicentennial in Atlanta, Georgia. By 1977 they were happily married, having settled in Raleigh, North Carolina, after stops in Charlotte and High Point as Jim built his career with First Union, and later Wachovia banks. After a long career with the bank, he left Wachovia in 1999, his final posting being that of Triangle Regional President. He went on to take a role under Governor James B. Hunt as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce. This led to his appointment as Secretary of Commerce in the following administration of Governor Michael Easley, and ultimately ended his tenure as the longest-serving Secretary of Commerce in the state's history. Following his time at the Commerce Department, Jim held roles at KDI Capital Partners, the North Carolina Global TransPark and the UNC Center for International Understanding. In 2013 he helped found the N.C. Coalition for Global Competitiveness to foster thought leadership and serve as a catalyst for a statewide vision for global engagement, an organization he proudly served for the remainder of his life.

For his many years of service to the state, he was named a member of the Order of the Longleaf Pine by Governor Michael Easley in 2008. He was named the 2022 recipient of the North Carolina Economic Development Association's President’s Award and has been recognized by a range of other organizations and causes for his contributions. Throughout his career, Jim gave considerable time and talent to countless charitable organizations and served as an invaluable mentor to dozens if not hundreds of rising talents. He was truly a Tar Heel born and bred and he worked tirelessly to promote the state of North Carolina across the state and around the globe with singular passion and commitment.

While his professional achievements are notable, the true measure of his life was his family. His wife, Peggy, was the love of his life and his true partner in every sense of the word; his best "Pal". His love for Peggy was only matched by his love for his children, Catherine and John who, simply put, adored him in return. Jim served his family with the same commitment and passion he poured into his work. His gentleness and truly genuine interest in others meant he never met a stranger; a conversation with a new friend would begin with the stunningly insightful question, "what keeps you up at night"? Conveying the positive impact Jim leaves on this world seems impossible. He was a beacon of goodness everywhere he went. He was a genuinely revered leader who cared so deeply about his state. His efforts will not soon be forgotten.

He is survived by his daughter, Catherine and his son, John, both of Raleigh; his brother the Reverend Robert Duncan Fain and his wife Deborah of Hendersonville, NC; his sister-in-law Sandra Fain of Raleigh; his sister in law Katherine Rhodes Smith and brother in law Robert Smith of Walterboro, SC; many devoted nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews; as well as Iris, Hank, Dumplin and Dolly, his pack of dogs and granddogs who adored him and were adored in return.

He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy, his mother Thomasina Shepherd Fain, his father James Toole Fain, Jr., and his brother Thomas Michael Fain.

He will be missed each and every day and we will be forever grateful for the exceptional life he lived.

A service of Christian Burial was held at Christ Church, 120 East Edenton Street, Raleigh on Thursday, June 15th at 2 pm. The Reverend David Frazelle of Christ Church officiated. Interment was private.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pretty in Pink Foundation's "Peggy Fain Memorial Fund"; Saving Grace Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 1649, Wake Forest, NC 27588; or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Cir, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.