James L. Whisnant

MONROE - James Lee Whisnant, 55, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center in Monroe.

He was born Oct. 30, 1953, in Cheyenne, Wyo., and raised in Hickory. Mr. Whisnant was preceded in death by his father, Alfred N. Whisnant.

Survivors include wife, Sandra Whisnant; son, James L Whisnant Jr.; daughter-in-law, Shelley L. Whisnant; granddaughter, Zoe L. Whisnant; and stepdaughter, Patricia C. Gilkes and husband, George Gilkes.

Also surviving are his mother, Betty Gayle Whisnant; brother, Alfred Nelson Whisnant Jr. and wife, Sandra Cook Whisnant, and family; sister, Lisa G. Meitin and husband, Jerry Meitin, and family; and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

James enjoyed golf, coin collecting and his dogs, Big Al and Sugar.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1644 Main Ave. Drive, NW, Hickory, N.C. 28601. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to the Friendship Home of Monroe, 2111 Stafford St. Extension, Monroe, N.C. 28110-9650.