James Townsend Sullivan

James Townsend Sullivan, 62, of Asheville, passed away Friday, May 15, 2009, in Charlotte after an extended illness. A native of Washington, DC and a resident of Asheville most of his life, Jimmy was the son of the late James Henry and Mary Katherine Sullivan. He graduated from Lee Edwards High School and was a faithful follower of his South Carolina Gamecocks. He was a veteran serving with the U.S. Navy, a member of Groce United Methodist Church, past president of the Asheville Sales and Marketing Club, a longtime realtor and former owner of 7-Up Bottling Company, Asheville. Jimmy is survived by his son, James T. Sullivan, Jr., his wife, Karen, and their son, Trey Sullivan of Waxhaw, NC; his daughter, Elizabeth O'Connell and her husband, Daniel, of Waxhaw; his brother, William Sullivan and his wife, Sheila, of Fairview and his close and loving friend, Maria Bloomberg. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Jimmy's hospice nurse, Patty Toeller and the entire staff of the Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm Sunday, May 17th in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian conducted by the Rev. Gerald Davis. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805 or to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204.