James Robert Ferron

James Robert Ferron, 86, of Statesville, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2015 at his residence. He was born in Painesville, Ohio on September 28, 1929 to the late Fred Robert and Josephine O'Brien Ferron. Jim was a graduate of Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Michigan State University. He served his country honorably in the Navy during the Korean War. He was married to Helen Ralph Ferron on July 7, 1956 and they had over 59 years of marriage before his passing. Jim was retired from John Boyle Company where he worked as a chemist and was a member of St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church. He was a member of the BPOE Elks and was awarded a life membership. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and was an avid volunteer at Iredell Memorial Hospital until his health declined. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He was a "big personality" will be missed by all that knew him. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William "Billy" Ferron. Left to cherish his memory are three sons, Timothy S. Ferron (Sharon) of Norfolk, VA, Brian P. Ferron (Diane) of Hawthorne Woods, Ill., and Patrick J. Ferron (Amy) of Statesville; three daughters, Colleen Ann Haustman (Rick) of Woodstock, Ga., Maureen F. Price (James) of Statesville; and Katherine E. Wilkinson (Scott) of Statesville; eleven grandchildren, James A. Ferron of Washington, DC, Timothy R. Ferron of Statesville, Nicole Haustman of Woodstock, Ga., Leah Eller (Josh), Lindsey (Kyle) Bell, Lauren Levan, Emily Wilkinson, Annie Wilkinson, Gabriel Ferron, Erica Ferron, and Ella Ferron, all of Statesville; and three great grandchildren, Grace Eller, Mallory and Hadley Bell, all of Statesville. A Funeral Mass for Mr. Ferron will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, December 31, 2015 at St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church with Father Thomas Kessler officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date. The family will visit with friends at the church following the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, St. Judes Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Shriner's Hospital, 950 W. Farris Road, Greenville, SC 29605. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.