James "Jim" Garrett Stone

Greensboro- Long time Greensboro resident Mr. James (Jim) Garrett Stone, 78, unexpectedly passed away Saturday, December 24, 2016 at Camden Place Health & Rehab in Greensboro, after suffering an injury a few days prior. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Martha Stone; his daughter, Susan Smith and her husband Troy; his son, James (Bobby) Stone and wife Suzi Stone; his granddaughters Holly Gordon, and her husband Jonathon, Jami Stone and Jessi Stone; his grandsons Garrett Smith and Robert (Bo) Stone; many cousins, family and friends. Born and raised in Reidsville, NC, the son of Pinkney and Margaret Stone, James more commonly known as Jim or even better “Gem”, was always full of humor and could never sit, live or stay in one place very long. He excelled as his high school band director and playing trombone. Jim was a photographer for the Reidsville emergency services at an early age, and he got his pilot’s license and his first plane before he went to college. At East Carolina University, he began studying music and was a charter member of Theta Chi. The number 1 cadet in Air Force ROTC at East Carolina University, Jim’s eye sight prevented him from flying for our country, so he graduated with honors from ECU and started his career in education focused on marrying his college sweetheart, Martha Quinn. He and Martha started their lives together teaching high school math and science in Roanoke, Virginia. They next moved to Fuquay Varina, NC where Martha continued to teach and Jim began his career in computer programming. With an imaginative mind and drive for success, he moved his family many times during their first several years moving up the ladder of success. Jim became one of the premier systems analyst and programmers. Jim moved his family throughout the South East building backbone computer systems and servers for Fortune 500 Companies throughout the United States. Finally settling in Greensboro, NC, Jim devoted his life to doing things for others. In addition to filming all Western Guilford High School sports games for more than a decade, he volunteered with organizations such as Kiwanis Club where he was a board member and captain of his community watch. With his creative mind, there was no task anyone could ask of him he would not take on with vigor, putting his heart and soul into each project until complete. He built many woodworking projects, motorized vehicles, and constantly was working on different ideas. Jim loved airplanes, boats (teaching family and friends to water ski), woodworking, German Shepherd dogs, his wife and family and it showed everyday. Now his family will lay him to rest on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home with Rev. Matt Smith officiating. We will continue to enjoy our memories and his projects for years to come. Visitation for friends will take place prior to the service from 1:00 till 2:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Greenview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Greensboro Police Foundation, P.O. Box 26140, Greensboro, NC 27402.