James John Hilderbrand of Pinehurst, NC passed on Friday, March 22, 2024 at his residence.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm Wednesday, April 3rd at Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst with the Rev. Rod Stone officiating.
Jim was born September 16,1936 to the late George and Adelaide Hilderbrand in Ben Avon, Pennsylvania but lived most of his early years in Willoughby, Ohio. After high school, Jim attended Purdue University on football and golf scholarships. He entered the U.S. Army in 1958 and was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas where he met his wife, Glenda. They were married for 63 years. They have 3 daughters: Tracey Fierst and husband Eric, Molly Pasca and husband Calin, and Megan May and partner Randall Wilson; and six grandchildren: Emry, Logan (fiancée, Amanda), Dylan (wife, Ava), and Tory Fierst; Ryan and Amanda Pasca (fiancé, Jared).
Jim worked for Kennametal, Inc. for 38 years, first as a draftsman, then a salesman, and later as a sales manager. Jim completed his college degree at Ashland University in 1972 while still working for Kennametal. He played on the college golf team and won the NCAA golf championship for small colleges. He frequently took his young family along to amateur tournaments up and down the east coast.
In his sales career, Jim relocated his family from Ohio to Alabama, Texas, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. In his golf career, Jim played in tournaments all over the U.S. plus Canada, England and Scotland; he qualified and played in three U.S. Open tournaments (two U.S. Senior Opens.) After retiring in 1999, he enjoyed life in Pinehurst, volunteering at the hospital, playing golf and gathering with family.
Memorial donations can be made in his memory to the V Foundation “Victory over Cancer” based in Cary, NC: Cancer Foundation for Research | V Foundation
Online condolences can be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
