James "Jim" Stanley Massey

James Stanley Massey passed away peacefully at home in Roaring Gap at the age of 90 on the morning of October 1st.

James "Jim," was born March 12th, 1934 at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC to the late Ola Irene Penland Massey and Phillip Haywood Massey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, David Ray Massey and brother, William "Bill" Haywood Massey; a sister, Evelyn "Sis" Brazier; a grandson, Phillip Christian Davis.

An enthusiastic team player, he was on the basketball and baseball teams and, in 1953, graduated from Rural Hall High School with the honors of Valedictorian, Class President, and Captain of his varsity football team. He attended 2 years at Mars Hill College, after working a brief time at Western Electric, and then transferred to North Carolina State College (now NCSU) to graduate Phi Kappa Phi with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1959. 

After working as a commercial builder in Marion, VA for 4 years, he moved home to NC and completed several large projects, including the First Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro and East Bend Elementary School. Answering an ad in the Winston-Salem Journal, Jim left the Piedmont and moved to beautiful Roaring Gap in 1964 to become the first and primary custom residential designer and builder at High Meadows Country Club, where he would live for 60 years. Within his first 2 years, he had completed the first 5 homes, the clubhouse, motel and restaurant, and ski lodge. In the years that followed, Jim served as Club President and continued to design and build a large majority of the homes in High Meadows, and a handful in the neighboring community, Olde Beau. He was also Broker in Charge for his brokerage company, High Meadows Real Estate Company, for many years. 

Jim was a family man and shared his passion for learning, art, travel, and invention with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He had a limitless curiosity about everything, especially nature and design, and a truly ingenious way of approaching the world around him. He was a hero, role model, best friend, and huge Wolfpack fan. His passion for golf was obvious, as a life-long member of both HMCC and Olde Beau. He loved creating special places for people to call home and always referred to Alleghany County as "God's Country." Though our lives will never be the same, he will live on through his countless contributions to our community, homes, buildings, trees and flowers he planted, and so many of us that he loved dearly.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy C. Massey of the home; three daughters: Dahna M. Young of Walnut Cove, Diana M. Ross and husband Richard of Winston-Salem, Heather M. Koz and husband John of Charlotte; a step-son, Drew Piscopo and wife Whitney of Laurel Springs; a step-daughter, Shannon Murray and husband Chris of Raleigh; an adopted daughter, Jamie M. Gladson of Climax; five grandchildren: Jon, James, Walker, Chloe, and Mae; a great-grandson, Walker.

Funeral Services to honor the life of Jim will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 6th, 2024 in the chapel of Thomas Family Funeral Service with Brother James Woodruff officiating. Interment will follow in Antioch Methodist Church of Glade Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. 

The family would like to give special thanks to the outstanding nurses and staff at Medi-Home Health and Hospice and to everyone at Thomas Family Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider offering memorial contributions to Medi-Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 1287, Sparta, NC 28675.

Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Massey Family. If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.

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