James William Fort of Oak Island, NC, was born January 26, 1944 in Glens Falls, New York, to James and Mary Wood Fort. He passed away on November 3, 2021, of a massive stroke.

He was educated at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and Binghamton and at St. Lawrence University. He was a professor of Economics and Travel and Resort Marketing at Paul Smith’s College and SUNY at Cobleskill for forty-two years. At Cobleskill he became involved in the United University Professionals (UUP) and was a member of the state Executive Committee. He retired in 2010 and moved to Oak Island, NC. He enjoyed sitting at the beach watching the waves.

He is survived by his wife Susan of Oak Island; daughter, Heather Schall of Oyster Bay, NY; son, James Jeffrey Fort and wife Natalie of Seattle, WA; and granddaughter Olivia Schall, a student at Clemson University. Also survived by his sister Cathy Ellis and husband Jerry of Oak Island and brother Timothy Fort of New York and several nieces and nephews.

On Oak Island, he was a member of the Moose and Brunswick Civil War Roundtable.

Funeral services will be held at Brunswick Funeral Service, Southport/Oak Island, on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Paul Smith’s College, Office for College Advancement for scholarships.