James Thomas McCorkle Sr.

James Thomas McCorkle, 82, of Fort Mill, SC., passed away Tuesday, December 15 with his family by his side. He was the son of Thomas Z. McCorkle Jr. and Helen Crayton McCorkle.

As a native Charlottean, Jim was a proud graduate of Charlotte’s Central High School, class of 1952. He earned a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State. He was also a veteran serving in the US Army.

Jim enjoyed a long professional engineering career beginning with Douglas Aircraft Company and Terrell Machine Company, followed by 30 successful years with Advanced Equipment Company as a sales engineer in material handling.

An avid golfer, Jim had a passion for teaching golf and spent over 40 years as an instructor with Central Piedmont Community College. One of his many joys was attending the Masters each year with his son and his friends. He was a former president and former member of the Charlotte Golf Group and cherished his time as a member of the “Sharon Tour” with his many golfing friends.

Jim is survived by his wife, Leslie Floto McCorkle, his son, James Thomas McCorkle Jr, his daughter and son-in-law, Catherine McCorkle Houghland and Gray Houghland. His family also includes step-daughters Kathleen Schmelka and Natalie Henley, and step-son Jeffrey Stevison. Jim cherished his time with his beloved grandchildren, James Thomas McCorkle III, Caroline Parke Houghland and Ann Keesler Houghland.

Family will receive friends on Friday, December 18th from 4 – 7 PM at McEwen Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28210. A Mass to celebrate Jim’s life will take place Saturday, December 19th at 11am at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 8515 Rea Road, Waxhaw NC 28173.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to St. Margaret’s.