James Wilson Miser, age 89, of Forest City, NC, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2013.

James was born May 5, 1924 at Blue Island, Illinois to the late Wilson Lee Miser and Nellie Pyle Miser. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Richard Andrews Miser and two brothers, Hugh Miser and John Miser.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Garvin Miser; two daughters, Ruth Miser Courtade (Mark), Alice Miser Schellenberger (William); one son James Wilson Miser, Jr. (Laura); one sister, Mary Hamilton and daughter in-law, Nancy Badje Miser.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Jeffrey Miser (Alyson), Heather Miser Saunders (Jason), Bradley Miser, Brendon Courtade (Kristin), Carolyn Courtade Buck (Daniel), Stephen Courtade, Kevin Courtade, Lindsay Miser, Jaimie Miser and Sarah Miser; nine great –grandchildren, Adriana Miser, Camille Miser, Lauralei Saunders, Logan Saunders, Noelle Saunders, Conor Courtade, Logan Courtade, Jesse Courtade, Micah Buck and Baby Courtade due in the fall.

     The Miser Family moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he was educated in the public schools.  Jim’s interest in music started at an early age and continued throughout his life. During high school, he played trombone in the marching band and sang in the choir.  He then graduated from Peabody Demonstration School. He first attended Seagle Music Colony in Schroon, N.Y. in the summer before entering Ashland College for his freshman year. He joined the Air Force in 1943 and served for three years.

     Jim enrolled in Vanderbilt University for Mechanical Engineering and graduated in 1949.  He was a member of Tau Beta Pi honorary engineering society.  Jim married Carolyn Jean Garvin on August 29, 1947 and worked for General Electric, General Motors and NASA at the Lewis Lab in Cleveland, Ohio during the research for the lunar landing. Jim continued his love of music, singing in choral groups as a soloist, returning to Seagle Music Colony several times and as choir director for church adult and children’s choirs.

After retirement from NASA in 1979, he and his family moved to the Chase Community.  He continued to volunteer, joining the chorus at ICC and as a member of the Avondale United Methodist Church, where he served as a lay leader and treasurer.  Jim was also on the Board of the Chase Corner Ministries and member of the Lucille Wall Music Club. Jim loved to travel to various parts of the US to attend family gatherings and Miser reunions.

     A memorial service was conducted at the Avondale United Methodist Church with Reverend Robert Hodgens, Reverend Roy Byers and Reverend Mike Gordon officiating. A musical Celebration of Life service will be conducted on August 24, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Berea United Methodist Church in Berea, Ohio. His ashes will be placed in the Memorial Garden Repository. A reception will follow in the Gathering Room of the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Avondale United Methodist Church, PO Box 266, Henrietta, NC 28076 or Chase Corner Ministries, PO Box 327, Henrietta, NC 28076 or to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or Berea United Methodist Church, 170 Seminary Street, Berea, OH  44017.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for the family of Mr. Miser.