James William Badeau

James William Badeau, 69, of Greensboro, passed away Thursday, January 25th, 2018 at Beacon Place. Cancer quickly took him away from us. A Celebration of Life will start at 6:00 pm Tuesday, February 6th at Hanes-Lineberry on N. Elm Street, Greensboro NC. Visitation and reception will follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 7th, 10:00 am at St. Benedict's Catholic Church beside the funeral home.Burial will be on Thursday at Salisbury National Cemetery at 11:00 am.

Jim was born in Guilford County on January 31st, 1948. He is predeceased by Ella Mae Gibson Badeau, Alfred Badeau, his parents, and James Hodges.

Jim will be greatly missed by many, but most especially by the family he held so dear to his heart. Jim is survived by his wife of 30 years, Barbara Kay Dishongh Badeau; brothers, Ralph Thomas (Tommy) Garner and wife Soonwon, Kenneth Badeau, Albert Hodges; sisters, Livia Joyce Badeau Sneed, Brigette Badeau Mottram and husband Tommy, Helen Maria Faircloth and husband Kim; beloved stepmother, Pricilla Hodges; stepson, Jim Cook and wife Vicki; beloved aunt, Thelma Gibson Sexton and husband Don; four grandchildren and one great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews, each of whom he deeply loved.

Jim graduated from Our Lady of Grace Catholic school in 1962 then preceded to Ben L. Smith High School.

Jim received State Wrestling Champion at Ben L. Smith High School for two successive years.

He was a graduate of Ben L. Smith High School as well as Appalachian State University where he received his degrees in both Business Administration and Computer Science.

After high school he became a Marine, serving much of his tour in Vietnam. After college he joined the Army and subsequently spent tours in Germany, Desert Storm, Japan and other areas of the world. He gave his service for 20 years. After he retired from the Army he began his career with the United States Postal Office for 22 years.

His great love was the game of chess. He developed a strong interest for it in college. A passion that would last throughout his life. His goal was to become a Master. He was one step away being an Expert. He played in many competitions. Jim wanted to mentor children in Chess but was thwarted by the increasing physical severity of Essential Tremors, a condition which continued to worsen, in spite of major surgery, the tremors continued the rest of his life. He could no longer enjoy his love for playing the game of chess.

In spite of his physical disability he taught math and computer science at Guilford Technical Community College. He very much enjoyed teaching and he was loved by all his students.

However, the worsening of his essential tremors never took away any of his cheerfulness or the ability to tease someone or make a joke.

Jim was always polite and kind to everyone he met, as he firmly believed that all people are worthy of the same respect and trust. The idea of racial, ethnic, or financial inequality sickened him. This belief was equally shared by his wife; they spent their 30 years of marriage quietly but rock-solidy defending it in every way possible.

Jim was a shy, quiet and very private person. He was honorable, honest, strongly moral, devout in his Catholic faith, but loved to joke and tease. He especially loved to aggravate his wife and sisters. It gave him joy. Near the end, he especially enjoyed teasing his sister, Livia, then he would laugh at her frustration. Even when he knew he had only days left, he was so kind and considerate to everyone that had the pleasure of crossing his path. Jim will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.