James "Jim" Robert Soesbee's Obituary
Born James Robert Soesbee on July 24, 1945 to James Burgin and Mary Lou Morrow Soesbee of Haywood County, NC, our dear Jim passed away on January 31, 2026 at the age of 80. Jim was peacefully resting at home, watching one of the biggest snowstorms in local recorded history fall outside of his bedroom window when he took his final breath. He was in the care of his wonderful nurse, and his wife Kitty was close by.
Known throughout the community for his entertaining personality and unpredictable wit, Jim took on many roles throughout his life. He was the darling son to JB and Mary Lou, admired brother to Sara Jo Soesbee Armstrong of Honolulu, HI (Kevin Armstrong, daughter Pualani), husband of 56 years to Kitty Beard Soesbee of Huntersville, and father to Mary Amanda Soesbee Kent (Bill Kent) and Seth Morrow Soesbee (Marla Jane Soesbee) of Huntersville, NC. He was teacher and coach to countless students, soccer, and football players at Wilson Hall in Sumter, SC, Williamsburg Academy in Kingstree, SC, Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, NC, Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC, and East Lincoln Middle and High Schools in Denver, NC. Jim’s face always lit up when he would get a phone call, Facebook message, or visit from a former student or athlete; he treasured his years in the classroom and on the field with a passion, hoping he was making a difference for someone who needed it. A farm boy turned horse man from his earliest memories, Jim loved nothing more than spending time at the barn, trading horses and spitting stories with buddies far and wide. His last days were spent dotted with visits from “barn people,” hearing about how the horses were faring in the ice and snow and making fun of “those horses and their silly little blankets.” Never one to turn off the TV for a good Western movie or a ballgame, Jim was an avid NC State fan and enjoyed coaching Wolfpack football and basketball from his recliner. Jim also served faithfully at Gilead ARP Church in Huntersville, NC in rotating capacities of Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Elder, and choir member. Every year he was able, he loved to take fall road trips with his buddies to different states, visiting war monuments and battlefields, eating at good restaurants, and looking at the changing leaves “just because they’re there.”
But, for the last almost two decades, the role he loved most was Pawpaw. Jim shined as grandfather to Seth and Marla’s sons, Chase Burgin Soesbee and Gage Morrow Soesbee, doting on and spoiling his boys as if he’d waited his whole life for them. He had to have Jim-sized t-shirts and stickers made for himself and his car, promoting any team his boys played for and giving himself even more reason to talk about them to all who would listen. They are truly his pride and joy.
Big Jim, Trail Boss of Woodring Farm, will certainly be missed at church, at the ballfields, and on the farm. Trusting in Jesus, he was confident that he will be surrounded in Heaven by his family again one day, and the Soesbee family is also comforted by that fact. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gilead ARP Church.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, 12:00pm, at James Funeral Home; the service will also be livestreamed. The family will receive friends from 10:00am - 11:30am prior to the service. Interment will be held privately by the family.
Bye Dad…we love you. Say your prayers. “And my heart is sinkin' like the setting sun Setting on the things I wish I'd done. Oh, the last goodbye's the hardest one to say This is where the cowboy rides away.”
James Funeral Home is serving the Soesbee family. Memories and condolences may be shared at https://www.JamesFuneralHomeLKN.com
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