James Norman Warren

WILMINGTON - James Norman Warren age 87 died peacefully at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, NC on August 24, 2022. Jim was born, June 28, 1935, and raised in Lenoir, NC. He attended Lees–McRae College and went on to graduate from UNC Chapel Hill Business School. He served as the President of the North Carolina Young Republicans Club during this time and then went on to serve his country in the Army in the intelligence division in Germany from 1958-1960. After being honorably discharged with the Good Conduct Medal, he came back to Lenoir, and started working at Southern Paper Box Company in Taylorsville, NC. At that time he also enjoyed acting in local theatrical productions in Hickory. He continued his career with J.P. Stevens where he used his endearing social skills to build the business through customer relationships. After living and working in Chicago, IL he eventually settled in Greensboro, NC where he was the President of the Greensboro Bachelors Club. He always loved a good party with good friends. He married February 12, 1972 and started his family putting roots down in Sedgefield where the family enjoyed a very blessed life playing golf, tennis and swimming with a wonderful community of neighbors. There were lots of good times whether it was taking a family trip to Hilton Head or Blowing Rock or watching the GGO from the backyard or playing ping pong in the basement. Dad was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and after a few endeavors found success in his rental business, Rental Master, Inc., that he established in Rocky Mount, NC in the 80s. As a small business owner he thrived on being his own boss. He successfully sold the business in 2007 and retired to Wilmington, NC. In retirement he enjoyed spending time with family and taking lots of walks on the beach.

He leaves this legacy as stated at the end of numerous years of home movies, “Dad has always asked only one thing of you- that you be happy and live life with grace, pride, dignity, hope, honesty and high self-esteem. In other words, always be able to look in that mirror and say “I love you” for only then will you have the capacity to love another. Goodbye for now. My Love Always, Dad.”

He is predeceased by his mother, Mary Harris Warren, his father, James Willard Warren, as well as his sister, Joan Warren Dickson.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Warren-Smith of Wilmington, NC and Andrew Smith (husband), and his son, Ben Mann of Greensboro, NC and Monica Mann (wife).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, https://lifecare.org/

Aquamation Services provided by Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation, www.waternotfire.com