James Edward Aycock

james aycock

September 25, 1938 ~ October 7, 2021

Born in: Norfolk, VA
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Jim Aycock, 83, of Asheville, NC, passed away unexpectedly on October 7, 2021. He was surrounded by family, at Mission Hospital. He was born September 25, 1938 in Norfolk, VA to Frank Bayard Aycock, Jr. and Nell Holder Mitchell. Jim grew up in Currituck County, NC.

Jim attended the Peddie School for two years in Hightstown, NJ and graduated from Elizabeth City (NC) High School in 1956. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1961 with a BA in journalism. During college, Jim served a two-year tour of duty in the US Army where he had top secret clearance as a signal corps cryptographer in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Jim had a passion for the news. He worked for newspapers in Smithfield, Shelby, and Greensboro, as well as for Richmond Community College, before moving to Black Mountain in 1969 to become publisher of the Black Mountain News. He became sole owner of the BM News from 1985 until 1995, when he sold it to the parent company of the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Jim was an avid golfer who also enjoyed cross-country road trips with his twin brother Frank.
Jim served on the boards of Swannanoa Valley Dr. MLK Jr. Memorial Corporation, Swannanoa Valley Medical Center, Black Mountain Foundation, Community Council of the State Women’s Prison, Black Mountain -Swannanoa Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Mountain Area Child and Family Center (since renamed the Verner Center).

Jim is survived by his wife Patsy Keever, his two daughters: Janelle Lucksavage and her husband Phil of Murphy, NC; Glenna Aycock of South Lake Tahoe, CA; five grandchildren; twin brother Frank B. Aycock, III. and his wife De of Charlotte, NC; and his sister Nell Richardson and husband Sidney Buchanan of Houston, TX. He is also mourned by his wife’s daughters, son-in-law and five grandchildren in Wilmington, NC and San Francisco, CA.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Services

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704

(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Army Veteran

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Patsy,
    So sorry for your loss. I greatly enjoyed speaking with Jim at our Friday brewery meetings and the time we got to play golf together. Jill and I will join in praying for peace for you and your family.

  2. Patsy and family,
    Sorry for your loss. I so enjoyed my conversations with Jim as we shucked corn, luncheons at your home, or during brief visits. You are in our thoughts.

    David and Linda Walker

  3. Patsy,
    My sincere sympathy to you and the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

  4. Don’t worry, dad, as long as I live I will be sure to tell others about the 1957 Carolina Basketball team and my daddy, who taught me almost everything I know. I would be half of the conversationalist I am without you. I miss you so much.

  5. Dear Patsy, I was so sorry and surprised to see Jim’s obituary in the Citizen-Times this morning. I know his death is a personal loss to all who knew him, and a public loststo the rest of the community. We are all diminished by his death, and you have my sincere condolences.

    Andy

  6. Dear Patsy, I was so sorry and so surprised to see Jim’s obituary in Citizen Times today. His death is a loss to all who knew him, and also to the greater community. My thoughts are with you.

  7. Dear Patsy, I want you to know that I am praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Thinking of you with sympathy and love.
    Karen Johnson

  8. Patsy,
    We are so sorry to hear about Jim. Our love and prayers are sent to you and your family. With much love, Jeff and Vonna

  9. Sid just called to confirm the sad news he was deducing from a Facebook post he had seen! So sorry for your loss. Know my thoughts & prayers are with you!
    💘 Steve

  10. Patsy, I am so sorry to hear about Jim. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you and think of you often.

  11. What a shock to lose Jim so suddenly. I am so sorry. You have my heartfelt condolences and wishes for comfort, acceptance and peace. 🕊️

  12. Patsy, may you and your extended family know that many feel as I do that Jim’s passing has left us feeling shaken. I always enjoyed those phone conversations with Jim as I sought guidance as local and state elections were coming around, or, a better understanding of some issue. May your memories keep you comforted.

  13. Patsy ~
    We were so very sorry to learn of the sudden loss of Jim. We express our condolences to you and your family. I always looked forward to the Barley’s gatherings when I could share common thoughts with Jim. He had a wonderful way of expressing his thoughts and knowledge of the latest events. His support and encouragement of you and many others will be missed by all who knew him.
    With sympathy,
    Sheri and Jim Groce

  14. Patsy and Family, We are so saddened to hear the loss of Jim. he will be greatly missed! I personally remember when Jim owned and operated the Black MT. News he was most generous in assisting many programs with Financial support at Charles D. Owen HS. We also got a kick out of the story one of his Daughters’ (Janelle) told us about feeding a racoon every night!! Good memories of Jim is what we all need. Pat and AL Lucksavage


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