James Albert Drum Sr.

James Albert Drum Sr., 85, of Seven Devils, NC, formerly of Statesville, NC, died at his home on September 1, 2024. 

He was born in Statesville, NC on July 20, 1939 to the late Margaret Perkins Drum and Albert Bryan Drum. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Carol Drum, and sister, Connie Drum Jones.

He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Nan Stricklen Drum, of Banner Elk. Also surviving are brother, Michael Bryan Drum and his wife, Angela, of Whitsett, NC, son, James Drum Jr., and daughter-in-law, Crystal, of Newport, NC and son, Bryan Drum, and daughter-in-law, Karen, of Mont Vernon, NH. Surviving grandchildren are Lauren Drum, Kendyl Drum, Miles Drum, and Caroline Drum.

He graduated from High Point College in 1961 and worked in the paint and coatings industry for his entire career with stops in High Point, NC, Louisville, KY, Lynchburg, VA, Charlotte, NC, and finally in Durham, NC where he owned and operated Nationwide Research Corp.

He was an avid Duke basketball fan, attending 14 of Duke’s 16 final four tournaments and a life-time member of the Iron Dukes. He coached youth league sports for several years and was a volunteer fireman for ten years in Seven Devils, NC.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, at Mount Zion United Methodist Church Community Cemetery, 19600 Zion Ave., Cornelius, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Seven Devils Volunteer Fire Department, 157 Seven Devils Road, Seven Devils, NC 28604 or Amorem Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir NC 28645

Condolences may be sent to www.kepnerfh.com

Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home of Huntersville, NC is serving the family.