James Jackson Waldrop

james waldrop

July 12, 1925 ~ March 13, 2005


Resided in: Asheville, NC

Light a Candle

Add a Memory to the Timeline

Sign the Guestbook

Send Flowers

Memorial Tree Plantings

James Jackson (Jack) Waldrop, 79, of Jonestown Road, Woodfin, died Sunday, March 13, 2005 at Asheville VA Medical Center. Mr. Waldrop was the son of the late G.N. Waldrop, Sr. and Lois May Randall Waldrop. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Katy Waldrop, who died in 1999 and a brother, Wayne Earl Waldrop, who died in 1969. He was a mechanical engineer and a graduate of N.C. State University, and had worked in various countries around the world for the R.G. LeTourneau Company. He was a distinguished veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in the Pacific theatre in World War II. Trained as a pilot and a photographer, he flew on the mission and took the official photographs of the atomic bomb blast that ended the war. After leaving the LeTourneau Company, he owned and operated a fiberglass fabrication company. During this time he also taught Physics at Asheville Buncombe Technical College. He held a patent for a free-piston engine and he invented a solar powered washer. He was renowned for his innovations and ideas. He served on the Zoning and Planning Board for the Town of Woodfin and attended Richland Baptist Church. He is survived by his daughter, Belinda Waldrop and her family; a son, Richard Waldrop and his family all of Asheville; four sisters, Virginia Summers of Silver Springs, Fla., June Fleming of Dunnellon, Fla., Carolyn Tolley of Black Mountain and Sarah Gassaway of Asheville; two brothers, Morris Waldrop of Clemson, SC and G.N. Waldrop, Jr. of Broadway, NC; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and his close friend Marie Peterson of Leicester. A graveside service will be held Thursday 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of the WNC State Veteran’s Cemetery with the Rev. Jack R. Gassaway officiating. Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

View the Timeline Add a Memory to the Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Jack, Wayne and I were in school together and were in the same graduating class. Our family lived at 64 Jonestown and knew the family for many years. Our family has dwindled until now there are only Jeanette, Charlotte and me. They join me in sending our deep sympathy to all of the family.

    Reply

  2. Rick
    Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Our prayers and sympathy are with you at this time.

    Reply

  3. Bonnie,
    We are so sorry to hear about your dad. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to ask. You and the rest of your family is in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless You.

    Reply

  4. Rick, Phillip and I are sorry for your loss. We will pray for you and Sheila during this time of sorrow. We Love you both.
    Phillip and Teresa Jarvis

    Reply

  6. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jack at this time. We have known the whole family for years and have been neighbors for many years. It is a great loss to the community and the people of Woodfin who knew him. Sincerely, Betty Brown Redmond, Harold, Ray, Earl, Wayne, Jackie, Marvin Brown, Mary Alice Chambers and Debbie Hart Cole

    Reply

  8. Deepest Sympathy, Love, and Prayers From Preston&Helen Massey and Darlene McPeters

    Reply

  9. Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and are in our prayers. Ray still mentions his ‘Paw-Paw’ from time time to time. Sophie is growing and will be starting kindergarten next year. May God bless you.

    Allen, Kelley, Ray, and Sophie

    Reply

  10. Rick, Julie and Family,
    Please be aware that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. As I have known Jack for many years, I remember his brillance of mind for inventions and his love for opera music. Know that if I can do anything for you, let me know and I’ll be right there. I still have difficulty going to the funeral home or to a funeral yet but know that my heart will be with you. Deanna

    Reply

  11. Rick & Family
    We sure were sorry to hear about your dad. I know you can never really prepare for the loss of a parent. I miss my dad terribly. I also regret that I do not see you as much anymore, but your friendship and times we spent playing bball are a great part of my life. May God bless you and your family as you move forward without your dad. We love you guys and wish you the best.

    Reply

  14. I still think of you often and your kindness toward me as a little girl. I remember how you encouraged me to do great things. You were my favorite Uncle. Love Angela

    Reply

  15. I miss you so much daddy. I wish Katy and Michael could of really known their grandpa and the great man you were. I wasn’t always the best daughter nor was I easy to raise. Looking back I wish I could of taken the things I done and said back that I know now broke your heart. I was given And shown what true unconditional love was. Because no matter what I done I was still your lil Bon Bon. I still talk to everyone about the Great and Amazing man My DADDY WAS….. I don’t know a day that has passed that I haven’t talked about you. I remember as a child after losing my mother , I was so scared that I was going to lose you or that if I left you at all that you would die. So I would play sick at school. And I remember praying every night asking God to let you live as my little Chihuahua puppy until one day I realized that she didn’t live as long as I thought and I told God to let you live until I had your grandbabies and at the time I prayed that I was just 9 years old. You passed away when my daughter was 3 and my son was 1.

    Reply

Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide