James P. Eisele of 540 Dogwood Road, Statesville, N.C., son of Emmett G. and Corinne K. Eisele, died peacefully at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, 20 days short of his 81st birthday.

Jim’s wife of 49 years, Rebecca Fulton Eisele, preceded him in death on July 19, 2017. He is survived by two daughters, Kathryn Eisele Hayes (Edward) of Statesville and Adrienne Eisele Warren of Troutman; and one granddaughter, Savannah Jane Warren of Troutman.

Jim graduated from Statesville High School in 1961 and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He was a lifelong and intense Tar Heels fan. After graduation, he worked in management positions for several companies, including J P Stevens, Sport-Knit Carolina, and Miller Tile and Marble. He later founded Piedmont Tile and Marble in Charlotte with his friend, William Parks. He was a member of the Professional Construction Estimators Association of America.

Following his retirement in 2012, Jim became active in the community. He volunteered at Iredell Memorial Hospital for many years, directing visitors and delivering newspapers, mail, and flowers to patients’ rooms. He worked with Downtown Statesville Development Corporation, helping with its Friday After Five events. At the time of his death, Jim was the senior lifetime member of St. Phillips Catholic Church in Statesville, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He also served on the church building committee for a period.

As one of eleven children, Jim was devoted to his family. Every year since 1982, the Eisele family has hosted a reunion in North Myrtle Beach that brings together families from across the country. Over the years, Jim took it upon himself to lead the planning and coordination of the Eisele Family Beach Trip, helping to continue a cherished family tradition across generations.

Jim had a strong devotion to his Catholic faith. Along with attending daily mass, he met weekly with a group of friends for Bible study and examination of conscience. His family takes great comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his Heavenly Father as well as those loved ones who have preceded him.

Jim is survived by a sister and three brothers, Dolores E. Sink of Mooresville, Jerome P. (Pete) Eisele (Loretta) of Mooresville, John F. Eisele of Troutman, and Alan R. Eisele (Bonita) of Statesville. He is also survived by Amy P. Eisele, widow of his brother, David E. Eisele, and an ever-growing number of nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Six siblings predeceased Jim, including Barbara E. Blood, Carolyn E. Brawley, Phyllis E. Smith, David E. Eisele, Douglas G. Eisele and Mary Frances Kimel.

The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care given to him the past six years by the Heart Failure Team at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and want to especially acknowledge and thank Lauren Eyadiel, MMS, PA-C, for her tireless care and extraordinary friendship with Jim.

Funeral Services and Mass for Jim will be held at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Statesville on Saturday, April 6, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a visitation outside the church from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts for James P. Eisele may be made to St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church or Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County.

Troutman Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.