James Eudy

James Robert Eudy, 95 years of age, of Midland, passed away Monday, February 24, 2014 at his home in Midland. James was born January 31, 1919 near Stanfield to the late Artie Eudy and Mattie Easley Eudy. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, William Oren, Joe and a sister, Mae. He attended Stanfield public school and studied accounting at National School of Commerce and became bookkeeper at Black Hosiery Mills at Midland. He married the late Minnie Connell in 1939 and shortly after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the Navy but was turned down. About a year and half later his son, David was born, the week he was inducted into the Army and began his training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. While there he volunteered for pilot training in the Army Air Corps and was sent to the First CTD at Berry College in Rome, Georgia for additional studies. In April 1944 the Army Air Corps decided they had enough pilots to win the war and were going to need ground troops. He, along with all his classmates, transferred to the 66th Black Panther Infantry Division to help fill that need. He trained as an anti-tank gunner and was sent to Europe in November 1944. His division was sent to France to help contain the "Battle of the Bulge." While crossing the channel one of their ships was torpedoed with the loss of 803 men, the second worst naval disaster of the war. After the reorganization of the division he was assigned as a mine sapper and spent 5 months and 8 days on the front lines. With the conclusion of the war, he was fortunate to be selected to attend the Biarritz American University in France. After returning home he entered an architectural millwork and building materials business with his brother and father. In 1949, he and Minnie were blessed with a daughter named Rita. After a few years they bought citrus groves and moved to Florida. Several years later, they sold the groves and returned to Charlotte. In 1990, he bought a farm at Midland and, after building his own home, began to develop the balance of the land into a sub-division known as Deer Run. After the passing of his wife in 2002, he married Jean Brown Wagner in 2003. In 2008 he purchased a motorcycle and continued riding it until his death. He is survived by his wife, Jean Wagner Eudy; son, David Eudy and companion, Carol Winchester, of Midland; daughter, Rita Short and husband, Dan, of Midland; three grandchildren, Kenza Wingate, Jason Short and Amy Short Vitulli; and three step-children, Wesley and Tim Wagner and Jodie Rierson; and five step grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Hartsell Funeral Home in Midland. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 28, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Midland. Burial will follow at the Sharon Memorial Park, 5400 Monroe Road, Charlotte with full military honors. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 4720 Garmon Mill Road, Midland, NC. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Eudy family.