WILMINGTON — James Lynn Harshbarger, 95, of Wilmington, entered his new life on January 31, 2022 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Yeagertown, PA on November 18, 1926.
He graduated from Derry Township High School in Yeagertown in 1944. He then enlisted and served in the South Pacific Theater during World War II as a member of the US Army. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Mabel, mother and father Rita Bottorff Harshbarger and John Harshbarger, sister Janice Harshbarger Lepley, brother Larry L. Harshbarger, and a niece Lee Ann Lepley Termin.
Jim is survived by a son, Dr. John L. Harshbarger and wife Jane, granddaughter, Alison Harshbarger, grandson Ryan Harshbarger and wife Kristin, sister-in-laws Anna Harshbarger and Joan Johnson, and brother-in-law LLoyd Kahler as well as many nieces and nephews he loved very much. Jim married his high school sweetheart Mabel Adair Kahler on November 27, 1947. They enjoyed one month shy of 60 years together. Jim loved to play sports growing up and was a member of his high school football and basketball teams. He also enjoyed playing golf and was a caddy at the Old Willows Golf course in Yeagertown. After his discharge from the Army in 1946 he worked for Standard Steel Corporation in Burnham, PA until the fall of 1950 when he enrolled at Penn State College and graduated in 1953 with a B.A. degree in Commerce. After graduation his work career included time with the Arrow Company, New Holland Machinery Division of Sperry Corporation and then his final 23 years as a Senior Buyer for Standard Steel. Jim and Mabel then retired to Wilmington in August of 1992 to be near their family and see their grandchildren grow up and be part of their lives.
Jim was a member of St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and was a rotating lector for the Saturday evening services. He and Mabel made many great friends at St. Matthew’s. Jim was happy to have introduced his son John to the game of golf at an early age and enjoyed the good times they had together playing the game. He was an accomplished musician especially on the trumpet, loved to read, and enjoyed working in his yard. Jim was a kind, compassionate man who loved people. He loved his family, his friends, and the Lord.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Bradley Creek Health Center and the staff of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for their care of Jim over the last several years and days of his life.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 3 at 1:00 PM at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 612 S. College Rd., Wilmington, NC. Visitation will be at the church at Noon prior to the service. Interment will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401 or St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 612 S. College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403.
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