James (Jim and Papa) Carroll Lovin, age 82 of Brevard, passed away peacefully at the Elizabeth (Hospice) House in Flat Rock, NC in the early morning hours of March 15, 2019.
Jim was one of three children, born October 15, 1936 to the late William and Liddy Elmore Lovin in West Virginia. He was raised in Ashland, KY where he met his wife of 57 years, Alice Matney Lovin who preceded him in death in 2013.
Jim attended Polytechnical Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He also attended Columbia School of Business – Financial Management. Jim became interested in the paper industry after working with his father at Ashland Oil during college.
He began his career shortly after college with Mead Corp. as Director of Research and Development, Administration and Business Planning. Jim moved to Brevard in 1972 and dedicated his life to serving his community and establishing lifetime friendships with fellow Ecusta employees as Vice President of Manufacturing for 22 years as well as with many friends in the community. His legacy was also his life’s philosophy to treat others as you would like to be treated, showing respect, compassion and integrity to all. As Jim would like to say, “you have to walk it like you talk it”. He considered all the employees at Ecusta as his friends, working side by side, always having their best interest as a top priority.
He accomplished many accolades during his lifetime but considered his family, church and friends as his most cherished blessings. The following were some of Jim’s accomplishments and services to his community: various lay leadership positions at First United Methodist Church of Brevard, Director of NC State University Pulp and Paper Foundation, President of Paper Management Association(PIMA), Trustee of Brevard College, Trustee of Blue Ridge Community College; Director of First Union National Bank of Brevard; Board Member of Transylvania Regional Hospital, member of Transylvania County Economic Development Commission, and Board Member of the City of Brevard Planning Board.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Jim was also preceded in death by a son, Mike Lovin; grandson, John Joyner; brother, Bill Lovin; sister, Judy Pennington.
Survivors include his daughter, Pam Hill and husband Jimmy; granddaughter, Allie Fullerton and husband Bengi; daughter-in-law, Barbara Lovin; sisters-in-law, Betty Lovin and Frances Martin; nieces and nephews, Stuart Lovin, Scott Lovin, Will McGinnis, Steve Pennington, Steve Martin, Beth Clarke and Shawn Martin.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Friday, March 22, 2019 at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home.
A Celebration Service of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 325 N. Broad St., Brevard, NC. The family will also receive friends immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to the Transylvania County Public Library or to First United Methodist Church of Brevard.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home, 181 S. Caldwell Street, Brevard, NC 28712.