James MacDonald

Born May 6, 1949 to James A. MacDonald and Rosalyn “Nippy” MacDonald in Winston-Salem, NC; he attended Catholic school to begin his education and grow in his faith. Also from an early age, he spent his summers at Wrightsville Beach, NC. There at the family inn known as the Breezeland Apartments, he honed his work ethic and developed a love of the beach as well as fishing and boating, eventually obtaining such seaworthy vessels as “Leaky Teaky” and the aptly named “No Problem” to cruise the waterways.

Jim received his undergraduate degree from Duke University in1971 and then his J.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1973 (but always remained loyal to his Blue Devils). Along the way he met the love of his life, Martha Butler, and wooed her with summer adventures on Wrightsville Beach. One of their early dates included a capsized sunfish and an unplanned swim in Banks Channel. They married in 1974 and began their life together living at the Breezeland before moving just across the bridge to raise a family in Wilmington.

After graduating law school in 1974, Jim joined with L. Gleason Allen and began a successful law practice in Wilmington that would endure until his retirement in 2020. The firm became a family practice when Jim’s younger son, Cliff, joined the practice in 2005. Jim was an active member in the New Hanover County Bar Association, serving a term as president.

In his down time, Jim enjoyed the beach, golf, playing cards, and watching his Blue Devils (basketball mostly).His laid-back and mild-mannored demeanor never changed, with the occasional exception of a perceived bad call that went against Duke.

Jim was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church since the early 1980s. There he assisted on various committees, lectored often, and served with its affiliated Boy Scout Troop 215. Jim was extremely proud that both of his sons obtained the rank of Eagle Scout, and he remained active with the troop for years even after his sons moved on.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, along with his brother, Neal Clifford MacDonald. He is survived by his wife, Martha, sons, James A. (“Alex”) MacDonald, Jr. (Jarmella) and Clifford Neal (“Cliff”) MacDonald (GiGi), and grandchildren, Sophia, Dayla, Aiden and Logan.

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to the staff at Brookdale in Wilmington, as well as Lower Cape Fear LifeCare. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice.

A funeral mass for Jim will be held on Friday, October 23, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church at 1011 Eastwood Rd., Wilmington, NC 28405.