James “Jim” Guy Stalnaker, 66, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at his home in Statesville, N.C. Jim was a survivor, for over three years, of a traumatic brain injury, for which the brain injury did not determine his ultimate fate. He held onto his genuine sarcasm and humor, as well as his love and memory of his children and grandchildren.
His resilience, dedication, determination, strength, and independence was like no other. Jim was the ultimate fighter. He loved to fish, hunt, and mine for stones and gold. Jim was retired from JC Penney warehouse after dedicating 18 years of his service. In his younger years, he took care of developmentally disabled adults. He is a graduate of Pennsboro High School in West Virginia. He received certification in electricity from Vocational Tech in St Mary’s, W.Va.
He was born in Elkins, W.Va., to the late James Wymer Stalnaker and Helen Lenora Barkley (Scott). Along with his parents, those who preceded him in death are brothers, Dennis Stalnaker and Thomas Stalnaker (infant); nephew, Austin Scott; paternal grandma, Flora “Peach Pie” Mae Stalnaker and grandpa, Guy Stalnaker; maternal grandma and grandpa, Fred Barkley and Barbara Knox; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is survived by his son, James Stalnaker of Virginia; his daughter and caregiver, Bethany Stalnaker (Blane Johnson) of Statesville; his daughter, Sarah Stalnaker of Wilkesboro; three step children, JB Tenney, Teresa VanHorn, and Amy Kittle; five grandchildren, Julee Dagenhart, Lily Johnson, Lucas Johnson, Kaylee Johnson, and Landon Johnson; and other family members including one brother, Michael Scott of Hickory; nephew, Aaron Scott of Hickory; aunt, Mary Hedenskog of Salisbury; and a number of cousins. He is also survived by a lifelong friend and mentor, Reverend Warren “Chip” Roy of Virginia; special members of his journey and care through the years, Jessica, Melissa, Marissa, Emily, Christina, Xaimara, Kristen, Holly, Heather, Alisha, Autumn, and Erica; and in his final days, Sandra, Shawnetta, Jay, and Melissa.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, in The Chapel of Nicholson Funeral Home with Reverend Warren “Chip” Roy and Pastor Kyle Chapman officiating. A Gathering of family and friends will be held at Nicholson Funeral Home following the Service of Remembrance.
Instead of flowers, please send memorial contributions in the name of Jim to Fairview Baptist Church Men’s Ministry, 41 Center Church Road, Hiddenite NC 28636 (www.fbchiddenite.org); Bikers For Christ, BFC HQ P.O. Box 4974, Oceanside, CA 92052 (www.bikersforchrist.org); or Brain Injury Association of North Carolina, 3733 National Drive, Suite 115, Raleigh, NC 27612 (www.bianc.net).
For those who wish, Jim’s Service of Remembrance can be viewed at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwMTAzNTA3ODI4MjczNSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Nicholson Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family.