Obituary
James H. Faison, Jr., son of the late James H. Faison, Sr. and Fannie Moore Faison (Bessie Faison/stepmother), born on October 2, 1926 went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on September 21, 2015.
As a youngster, he attended New Hanover County Schools, and graduated from Williston Industrial High School in 1946. James immediately enlisted in the United States Army and served in Japan under the command of General Douglas McArthur. Upon completing his first tour of duty, James matriculated to A&T College (now North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University) where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. Motivated by patriotism and inspired by the camaraderie of his fellow cadets, James reenlisted in military service as a Commissioned Officer through the college Army Reserved Officer Training Corp program. By 1954, James fulfilled his military service, and received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant.
In 1962, after serving several years as an insurance agent with the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, Mr. Faison began his career in education as a teacher. He first taught at West Pender Elementary School in Pender County, North Carolina, and also served as a Boy Scouts leader. He later served as a local PTA President at Rocky Point Elementary School and emerged as a community leader. Shortly thereafter, he returned to his high school alma mater as the industrial arts teacher. He also served as sports announcer and served in other capacities until the doors of the great Williston Senior High School closed in1968.
In 1968, Mr. Faison became the first fulltime African American instructor at Cape Technical Institute (now Cape Fear Community College), and taught trade related courses, such as drafting, physics, math, communication skills, and job interview techniques. He was among the team of pioneering instructors who prepared local students for employment with industries locating to the Cape Fear area. Among those industries were General Electric, Dupont, Corning Glass, Babcock and Wilcock, and Hercules.
While on staff at Cape Fear Technical Institute, Mr. Faison obtained a Masters
Degree in Industrial Education from North Carolina State University in 1970. Also during his tenure as an instructor at the Institute, Mr. Faison became one of twelve professionals selected throughout the country to conduct an in-depth study of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at Texas A&M University in 1972 and 1973. Through that assignment, he also earned several hours toward a doctorate degree. While continuing to serve as an instruction, Mr. Faison was appointed to serve as the Cape Fear Technical Institute's Safety Officer in 1974.
In 1977, Mr. Faison became the first African American to serve as Director of Vocational Education in New Hanover County. He served in that capacity until 1983. At that time, New Hanover County was the ninth largest LEA (Local Education Agency) in the state. Inspired by the vision of M. S. Rock Sanders, State Coordinator for Vocational Education, Mr. Faison authored the first curriculum for a vocational education initiative for minority students in New Hanover County. That initiative expanded and merged with similar programs in neighboring school districts. That program later acquired the name ROCAME (Region O Council for the Advancement of Minorities in Engineering). ROCAME was established for the purpose of emphasizing exposure of minority students to the field of engineering. ROCAME also provided vocational training and scholarship opportunities to minority students in Region O. Region O consisted of five county schools systems (New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, and Whiteville City schools). Since its inception, ROCAME has been supported by a consortium of industrial companies consisting of Corning Glass, DuPont, General Electric, Babcock & Wilcox, and Diamond Shamrock.
The last four years of his professional career were spent teaching occupational education at D.C. Virgo Middle School. Mr. Faison retired in 1989 after serving 27 years as a career educator.
Despite his retirement, his service to the public continued in several capacities. He volunteered as an instructor at the Pender County Corrections Center for several years. He served on several governmental and civic organization boards in New Hanover and Pender Counties. James was also appointed by the Pender County Democratic Party to serve an unexpired term as County Commissioner. He also served as Chairman of the Pender County Democratic Party for approximately 10 years.
As a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Pender County, Deacon Faison served as Chairman of the Deacons Ministry for over 30 years and as a member of the Male Choir. Deacon Faison also served in the Kenansville Eastern Missionary Baptist Association as instructor for the Ministers and Deacons Union from 1986 until his retirement in 2015. He served as President of the Sunday School Convention, and Chairman of the Founders Day Committee until 2015.
He received numerous awards and recognition for his faithful service recognized as a pioneer for education and justice for all. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP and a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
Deacon Faison was always willing to share his wisdom with all who would listen. He was often selected to serve as the guest speaker for many events. During his great oratorical presentations, his baritone voice permeated the hearts of listeners with words of encouragement, love and admonition, reminding us all that…"Tis one life, will soon be passed, but only what is done for Christ will last."
James was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary R. Faison, to whom he was married for 59 years before her departure in December 2014. He leaves to cherish his memory: son, James H. Faison, III (Angela) Pastor and District Court Judge; granddaughter, Christa G. Faison; surviving sister, Colethia M. Faison; and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the Williston Senior High School Alumni Association; James H. Faison, Jr. and Mary R. Faison Scholarship Fund c/o the Pender County NAACP; New Hanover NAACP; and Cape Fear Community College Foundation.
Final preparations are in the care of Dunn Funeral Home, Burgaw, NC. Wake services will be held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 16810 NC Hwy. 210 Rocky Point, NC 28457on Friday, September 25, 2015 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Williston Middle School Auditorium, Wilmington, NC on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. (viewing will be allowed at the auditorium from 11:00 am -12:00 pm)
As a youngster, he attended New Hanover County Schools, and graduated from Williston Industrial High School in 1946. James immediately enlisted in the United States Army and served in Japan under the command of General Douglas McArthur. Upon completing his first tour of duty, James matriculated to A&T College (now North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University) where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. Motivated by patriotism and inspired by the camaraderie of his fellow cadets, James reenlisted in military service as a Commissioned Officer through the college Army Reserved Officer Training Corp program. By 1954, James fulfilled his military service, and received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant.
In 1962, after serving several years as an insurance agent with the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, Mr. Faison began his career in education as a teacher. He first taught at West Pender Elementary School in Pender County, North Carolina, and also served as a Boy Scouts leader. He later served as a local PTA President at Rocky Point Elementary School and emerged as a community leader. Shortly thereafter, he returned to his high school alma mater as the industrial arts teacher. He also served as sports announcer and served in other capacities until the doors of the great Williston Senior High School closed in1968.
In 1968, Mr. Faison became the first fulltime African American instructor at Cape Technical Institute (now Cape Fear Community College), and taught trade related courses, such as drafting, physics, math, communication skills, and job interview techniques. He was among the team of pioneering instructors who prepared local students for employment with industries locating to the Cape Fear area. Among those industries were General Electric, Dupont, Corning Glass, Babcock and Wilcock, and Hercules.
While on staff at Cape Fear Technical Institute, Mr. Faison obtained a Masters
Degree in Industrial Education from North Carolina State University in 1970. Also during his tenure as an instructor at the Institute, Mr. Faison became one of twelve professionals selected throughout the country to conduct an in-depth study of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at Texas A&M University in 1972 and 1973. Through that assignment, he also earned several hours toward a doctorate degree. While continuing to serve as an instruction, Mr. Faison was appointed to serve as the Cape Fear Technical Institute's Safety Officer in 1974.
In 1977, Mr. Faison became the first African American to serve as Director of Vocational Education in New Hanover County. He served in that capacity until 1983. At that time, New Hanover County was the ninth largest LEA (Local Education Agency) in the state. Inspired by the vision of M. S. Rock Sanders, State Coordinator for Vocational Education, Mr. Faison authored the first curriculum for a vocational education initiative for minority students in New Hanover County. That initiative expanded and merged with similar programs in neighboring school districts. That program later acquired the name ROCAME (Region O Council for the Advancement of Minorities in Engineering). ROCAME was established for the purpose of emphasizing exposure of minority students to the field of engineering. ROCAME also provided vocational training and scholarship opportunities to minority students in Region O. Region O consisted of five county schools systems (New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, and Whiteville City schools). Since its inception, ROCAME has been supported by a consortium of industrial companies consisting of Corning Glass, DuPont, General Electric, Babcock & Wilcox, and Diamond Shamrock.
The last four years of his professional career were spent teaching occupational education at D.C. Virgo Middle School. Mr. Faison retired in 1989 after serving 27 years as a career educator.
Despite his retirement, his service to the public continued in several capacities. He volunteered as an instructor at the Pender County Corrections Center for several years. He served on several governmental and civic organization boards in New Hanover and Pender Counties. James was also appointed by the Pender County Democratic Party to serve an unexpired term as County Commissioner. He also served as Chairman of the Pender County Democratic Party for approximately 10 years.
As a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Pender County, Deacon Faison served as Chairman of the Deacons Ministry for over 30 years and as a member of the Male Choir. Deacon Faison also served in the Kenansville Eastern Missionary Baptist Association as instructor for the Ministers and Deacons Union from 1986 until his retirement in 2015. He served as President of the Sunday School Convention, and Chairman of the Founders Day Committee until 2015.
He received numerous awards and recognition for his faithful service recognized as a pioneer for education and justice for all. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP and a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
Deacon Faison was always willing to share his wisdom with all who would listen. He was often selected to serve as the guest speaker for many events. During his great oratorical presentations, his baritone voice permeated the hearts of listeners with words of encouragement, love and admonition, reminding us all that…"Tis one life, will soon be passed, but only what is done for Christ will last."
James was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary R. Faison, to whom he was married for 59 years before her departure in December 2014. He leaves to cherish his memory: son, James H. Faison, III (Angela) Pastor and District Court Judge; granddaughter, Christa G. Faison; surviving sister, Colethia M. Faison; and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the Williston Senior High School Alumni Association; James H. Faison, Jr. and Mary R. Faison Scholarship Fund c/o the Pender County NAACP; New Hanover NAACP; and Cape Fear Community College Foundation.
Final preparations are in the care of Dunn Funeral Home, Burgaw, NC. Wake services will be held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 16810 NC Hwy. 210 Rocky Point, NC 28457on Friday, September 25, 2015 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Williston Middle School Auditorium, Wilmington, NC on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. (viewing will be allowed at the auditorium from 11:00 am -12:00 pm)
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