James Ingram Ledbetter of Beaufort, NC, passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at the age of 94 years old.  After months of failing health, he died peacefully at the Crystal Coast Hospice House surrounded by his loving daughter and grand-daughter by his side.

A private service at Sharon Cemetery in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina will be scheduled at a later date.

Jim was born in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina to James Henry Ledbetter and wife, Susie Ingram Ledbetter on June 6th, 1926.  As a boy, he loved the outdoors and was the first Eagle Scout of Montgomery County. Upon high school graduation, Jim, served in the United States Army during WWII overseas on the European front, specifically in the Rhineland, as a staff sergeant in the Battery B, 22nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion receiving 2 Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, an Army Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

After the war, Jim, became a life guard at Morrow Mountain State Park where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Jane Vann from Badin, North Carolina, and they dated through out college and married in 1952.  Jim worked for the North Carolina Forest Service, the Atlantic Coastland Railroad and Alcoa. He and Jane had three children: James Vann Ledbetter, John Ashley Ledbetter and Susan Jane Ledbetter (Shouse) and as a family, they enjoyed living in Badin, North Carolina,  Evansville, Indiana and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Upon retiring from Alcoa in 1987, Jim and Jane were excited to settle in Beaufort, NC in 1987 and thoroughly enjoyed all that this wonderful, small town had to offer and became devoted members to Ann Street United Methodist Church. The North Carolina Maritime Museum and Watercraft Center was another favorite spot of Jim's due to his combined love of boating and woodworking. They made many true friends that spent special times at Jim and Jane's “boathouse” located in Shell Landing. These friends rallied around Jim when his beloved Jane passed away in 1997.

Jim is preceded in death by his devoted wife, Jane Vann Ledbetter; his son, James Vann Ledbetter and his son, John Ashley Ledbetter.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Susan Ledbetter Shouse of Morehead City; his sister Mary Ann King and her husband Douglas Dorsey King of Greensboro; his grand-daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Shouse of Raleigh; his grand-son William Reid Shouse of Morehead City; and many loved nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Lin Schulze of Carteret Landing and to the nurses and staff of the Crystal Coast Hospice House for their unwavering compassion and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Crystal Coast Hospice House, PO Box 640, Newport, North Carolina 28570.

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC.