Jim Atchley passed away on March 9 in his home in Calabash, North Carolina. He was surrounded by his loving family. Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Clara Haynes Atchley and their son, Heath; along with his younger sister, Joan Atchley Yelton and her husband, Ray Yelton; and Clara's sister, Patricia Haynes Street. Jim was preceded in death by his parents James Horace Atchley and Elizabeth ("Lib") Hawkins Atchley; along with his older sister Judy Atchley Benson.

Jim was born in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. In 1965, he graduated from R-S Central High School where he played varsity tennis and baseball. He and his wife, Clara, began their life-long love affair at their junior-senior prom; they married in 1968. Also in 1968, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a finance specialist on a base in Stuttgart, Germany. Upon the end of his service, Jim returned to North Carolina, graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Business Management, and began his career in the furniture industry as a finishing technologist. Jim and Clara began their own family in 1973 with the birth of their son, Heath. He and his family moved to Lenoir, North Carolina, in 1984 as his career advanced. In 2009, Jim retired, and he and Clara moved to Calabash.

In addition to his family, golf was Jim's passion. He especially loved to play with his wife, Clara; his brother-in-law, Ray Yelton; his life-long friend Ronald Walkup; his cousin Randy Hawkins; and the Crow Creek Senior Men's League. In 2013, he was the Farmstead and Meadowlands Senior Club Champion. In 2014, he scored a double-eagle on hole #8 at Tidewater. Some of Jim's fondest memories were attending Ryder Cup events and The Masters with his wife, Clara.

Family and friends remember Jim for his vibrant sense of humor that brought joy to those around him. His robust laughter would often permeate gatherings of family and friends. Jim was also a kind and compassionate soul who would offer help and support to anyone who needed it. He will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure to know him.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19, at Brunswick Funeral Service, 5229 Ocean Highway West, Shallotte, NC 28470. The family will receive friends starting at 10:00am; the memorial service begins at 11:00am.

Unvaccinated guests please wear masks.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable contributions be made in Jim's memory to:

Lewy Body Dementia Association - lbda.org/donate

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare - lifecare.org/donate

First Tee of Coastal Carolinas - firstteecoastalcarolinas.org/memorials