James L. "Jim" Tutterow

Reidsville: James Leo Tutterow, 80, died from heart failure on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, NC. James was born in Greensboro, NC, on April 8, 1933 to Turner Winfred and Carrie Elsie (Jones) Tutterow. James was the youngest of three children, joining Jacob “Jay” Turner Tutterow and Rachel Joanne (Tutterow) Cathey. Jimmy, as he was known growing up, was blessed with natural athletic ability. While very accomplished in both basketball and baseball, football was his best sport. As a standout athlete for Graham High School he was one of the first football players from that school selected to play in the 1951 Shrine Bowl, and in 2007, was inducted in the Graham Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1948 GHS Football team. Jimmy had invitations from many colleges (Auburn, NC State and Tennessee) but chose to attend Elon College where he was the starting QB in his freshman year. After football season he enlisted in the Army played for the Army Team in Japan. Returning to NC after service, Jimmy played for a short time at NC State before completing his studies and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Park Administration. He remained an avid State fan for the rest of his life. Dad, as we knew him, spent a sales career with various major farm and construction equipment companies exposing my sister and me to some of the greatest places to live and grow up. After 22 years in Dallas, Texas, North Carolina and retirement called him home to Reidsville in 1998. The next 15 years were spent reconnecting with classmates and old friends, family reunions, travel, volunteering with The American Christian Trust Ministry and being an active member of his church, Pleasant View Assembly of God. For over 30 years Dad has been a born again believer in his Lord, Jesus Christ. Dad thoroughly enjoyed his 11 grand kids, visiting Grand Rapids in the summer and Fort Lauderdale in the winter with beach and mountain trips scattered about. This year's beach trip was the hardest as Dad was not able to attend but enjoyed vicariously through multiple daily phone updates. In June he was thrilled to learn that he was to be a great-grandfather. James is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Lou (Okey); brother, Jay T.; sister, Joanne; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Toni, and their 3 children, daughter Ashley and husband Rich Bartho, sons (David) Joe and (Matthew) Jon; daughter and son-in-law, Lucy and Ed Higuera, and their 8 children, Rachel, E. Holton, Emily, John, David, Virginia, Margaret and Amy. Our family would like to thank Dr. Daniel Bensimhon, Dr. Peter Nishan and all of the CICU staff at Moses Cone for the skilled and loving care that Dad received. Our family would like for you to consider a memorial gift to the Pleasant View Assembly of God Church or to the charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers. Visitation will be at the Wilkerson Funeral Home, Reidsville, NC on Thursday, August 1, 2013 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Services will be held at the Pleasant View Assembly of God Church, 10792 Cherry Grove Road, Reidsville, NC 27230, on Friday, August 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be made to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com