Jimmy Love

James Milton "Jimmy" Love, Jr.,85, of Charlotte went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 2, 2016. He was born in Albemarle, NC, February 22, 1931, to the late James Milton Love and Bryte Rudisill Love and moved to Charlotte at an early age attending, and graduating, from Charlotte City schools. He attended Bethune Elementary School from the first through sixth grades and served as President of the school in the sixth grade.At Harding High School he was active in the marching band, orchestra and the D.E. program. After graduation with the Class of '49, he volunteered to join the Navy at the beginning of the Korean War in September, 1950, but was able to cancel the weekend prior to his enlistment when his only brother, Gene, was stricken with polio. His career in the food business began in 1952 as a sales representative in the Charlotte market with Brinkley & Holland, Inc ( a regional food brokerage business located in Greensboro, NC). After three years, Jimmy joined the Reynolds Metals Company sales force in 1956, introducing Reynolds Wrap to the Carolinas. During his nine year career with them, he rose, in 1962, to the position of Sales Manager of the Carolinas Division. In 1965, he resigned to become a partner and Vice-President of Carolina Brokers, Inc. In 1980, he was elected President, and Chairman in 1985. After 23 years, 1988, due to health issues, he retired as CEO/Chairman. Over the years, Carolina Brokers had grown from 7 employees and 2 sales offices to one of the largest food brokerage companies in the Carolinas. Jim loved the business and sales and marketing and tried to manage the company as a family. He served the Charlotte Grocery Manufacturer Rep Association as Chaplain, Vice-President and President; the National Food Brokers Association as Regional Representative and on the Frozen Food Committee; and the National Frozen Food Association as Regional Rep. Jim also enjoyed being a member of Myers Park County Club and playing golf with his many friends. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church from 1932 until 1991, was on its "Cradle Roll"and confirmed at age 12. At St. Mark's, Jimmy served as 4th grade Sunday School teacher for 15 to 20 years; was honored by the Lutheran Church Men with a Life Membership, having served as president, and served as Chair of the Stewardship, Evangelism, Worship and Music, Social Ministry, and Designated Giving Committees. He served four terms (sixteen years) on the Church Council and was elected secretary for two terms and Vice-President for one. He also served on the Executive Committee of the church. He and his wife, Jane, served off and on as Shepherd Group Leaders and later as Shepherd Program leaders at St. Mark's. Jimmy made a Via de Cristo Weekend retreat and later served a Via De Cristo retreat as a team member. Jim served on a NC Synod Task Force to initiate a program on Alcohol and substance abuse education in the church. He had married the former Jane Robertson, a native Charlottean and school-mate, in 1955. Surviving are their four children, Linda Jane Love Burrell and her husband, Dr. James David Burrell, of Wake Forest, NC, James David Love and his wife, Jan Hoxworth Love and John Murray Love and his wife Karyn Dobbs Love, all of Charlotte, and Paul Lawrence Love of Wilmington, NC; and four grandchildren, James David Burrell, Jr., Hannah Love Burrell, Dillon Hyatt Love and Roxie Jane Love. From May 1993, until 2000, Jimmy and Jane lived at Sunset Beach in Brunswick County, NC where they continued their church activities at Seaside United Methodist Church. He served as Co-Chair in 1993 and 1994, then Chair in 1995 of the Outreach Committee. Jim also served as a member of the Administrative Council and, in 1994, was President of the United Methodist Men. He further represented Seaside Church's outreach to Hope Harbor Home, South Brunswick Inter-Church Council and by serving on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity. Jim co-chaired the Hope Harbor Holiday Fling Benefit in 1994 and 1995. He was Co-Founder, first President and President Emeritus of Providence Home ( an emergency teen shelter). While active at Seaside United Methodist Church, Jim was honored as NC United Methodist Church Layman of the Year in 1997 and with the 1998 Stewardship Award for the Eastern NC Methodist Conference. While living at Sunset Beach, he was a member of the Sea Trail Plantation Club. Jimmy and Jane lived in Wake Forest from October 2000 until 2007, when they returned to Charlotte. While there, they were members of the Wake Forest Baptist Church and were members of the Outreach Committee and The Seekers Church School Class. Jim helped innate and incorporate CareNet of Wake Forest, serving on the Board of Directors as Vice-President from 2001 until his return to Charlotte. In 2007, Jimmy and Jane returned to Charlotte and became members of Christ Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial are asked to be made to Providence Home, PO Box 11042 Southport, NC 28461. -

Service Information

Monday, March 7th, 2016 2:00pm, Christ Lutheran Church

Details:

Service Extra Info A celebration of Jimmy's life will be held in the new Worship Center.

Interment Details

St. Mark's Lutheran Church Columbarium