James Coble, Jr.

Former Charlotte, NC, resident, James "Jimmy" Herbert Coble Jr., 57, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at Mary Black Memorial Hospital in Spartanburg, SC, after a courageous battle with cancer. He spent his final days in the loving company of his family and friends. Jimmy was born May 10, 1955, in Sanford, NC, the first born son of James Herbert Coble, Sr., and Doris Autrey Coble of Matthews, NC. The family moved to Birmingham, AL, in 1960, then to Charlotte, NC, in 1963, where he resided until 2007. He attended school at Selwyn Elementary, Alexander Graham and Myers Park High, graduating in 1973. Jimmy graduated from Wofford College in 1977 with a BA in Sociology. He was a member of the Men's Glee Club and the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. He worked the bulk of his career in international trade for Yukiwa-Seiko USA, in Charlotte. In Spartanburg he was employed as an associate at Home Depot. Jimmy was a member of Covenant Baptist Church in Charlotte where he served as sound technician and deacon. Among many other ways in which he represented the church with his service, he served as a missionary to Brazil in 1998. Jimmy loved music - especially classic rock (he was known to play a mean air guitar) - and his sense of humor brought joy to everyone in his presence. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of The Andy Griffith Show and The Three Stooges, which he displayed even in his final days. He loved sports, especially the Wofford Terriers, Duke basketball, and the Carolina Panthers. More than anything, Jimmy was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, who brought us all laughter and joy. And he was truly one of the all-around greatest guys the world will ever know. In addition to his parents, Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife Debbie Crowe Coble and sons, Jacob J. and Joshua C. Coble of Spartanburg; mother-in-law, Evelyn Crowe of Spartanburg; brothers, Brad Coble and his wife Ann of Midlothian, VA, Scott Coble and his fiancé Michelle Brown of Matthews, NC, and Tommy Coble of Clayton, NC; nephews, Shane, Chris and his wife JoBeth, Casey, Chase, Riley, and Will Coble; nieces, Katie and Bailey Coble; uncle, Tom Autrey of Arden, NC; aunts, Carlotta Roberts of Asheville, NC, and Joyce Coble of North Augusta, GA. Visitation will be 10:00-10:45 AM Friday, July 13, 2012, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC. A service honoring his life will follow at 11:00 AM, in the chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dr. A. Stephen Holler. Private burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, SC. The family will receive friends 12:00-12:45 PM Saturday, July 14, 2012, at Covenant Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 PM, at the church, conducted by the Rev. Gerry Patoka and the Rev. Chad Gullion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OMF (Ocular Melanoma Foundation) PO Box 29261, Richmond, VA 23242-0261; or Covenant Baptist Church Music Fund, 11724 Elm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277. The family would like to express thanks for the tremendous efforts and compassionate care of Jimmy's team of doctors and support staff, especially: Dr. Eric Cole of Spartanburg; Dr. John Powderly of Huntersville, NC; Dr. April Salama, Dr. Paul Suhocki, Dr. Jeff White, Debbie Semmel, and Gemini Janus of Duke. Our hope is that Jimmy's courageous fight will assist these talented and compassionate women and men in caring for, and curing, others in the future. The family is at the home. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James Herbert Coble, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.