James Phillip Bartlett

James Phillip Bartlett, born May 24, 1937, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Harry Bartlett and Jane Metz, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025, at the age of 88.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marion P. Bartlett, and his stepson, Dennis Walton. He is survived by his children: son Todd Bartlett (Maggie), daughter Teri Flanagan, and stepdaughters Jackie Shearer (Frank) and Heather Battista (Mike). He was a proud grandfather to Travis Shearer (Brittany), Brielle Walton, McKenna Flanagan, Nathan Tracy, Sarah Shearer, and Emerson Flanagan, and a cherished great-grandfather to Parker and William Shearer.

Jim moved to Orlando, Florida, at a young age and graduated from Boone High School in 1955. He attended Stetson University from 1955–1956 before transferring to the University of Florida, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1960.

Following graduation, Jim began his career with Eli Lilly and Company in Orlando, where he worked from 1961 to 1965. With a strong commitment to his profession and his community, he opened his own business, The Prescription Shop, in Stuart, Florida, in 1965. For 30 years, he faithfully served his customers with care and dedication.

In 1995, Jim sold his portion of the pharmacy and moved to Black Mountain, North Carolina, eventually settling in Asheville. There, he continued his work in pharmacy at the VA Hospital and CVS Pharmacy before retiring. In his retirement years, Jim continued serving others as a volunteer at the Asheville Veterans Administration, where he dedicated over 1,300 hours of service.

Jim loved to sing and, in his younger years, was a member of a Barbershop Quartet. He enjoyed talking with everyone he met and was known as a remarkable keeper of names, rarely forgetting anyone’s. He loved his profession deeply and proudly maintained his pharmaceutical license in North Carolina up until his death.

Jim will be remembered for his integrity, kindness, and devotion to both his family and his work. His legacy lives on through the community he served and the loved ones who cherish his memory.

Services will be held at Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian location in Arden, NC, on Friday, September 5, 2025. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m.