James 'Big Jim" Everhart

James E. "Big Jim" Everhart

(December 19, 1924 - May 14, 2011)


Inman, SC --Mr. James Edward "Big Jim" Everhart, 86, of 2 First St., Inman Mill Village, passed away Saturday, May 14th, 2011. Jim was born December 19, 1924, on 19 Fourth St., the son of the late Joe "Big Joe" Everhart Sr. and Kathreen "Tack" Lee Everhart. The family moved to 2 First St. during the early part of WW II. Jim was a life-long resident and employee of Inman Mills. He had worked as a house painter and played on the Inman Mills Textile Baseball Team of the Eastern Carolina League from 1947 until the mid 50's. In 1954 Jim was made the Inman Mills Recreational Director and has held that position ever since. Jim was a member of the 1942 Inman High School graduating class where he played football and baseball for the Inman High School "Purple Panthers." He also played on the 1941 Spartanburg American Legion Post 28 Team who won the SC State Championship and lost out in the final game of the National Regionals. Jim entered the Army Air Corps in Jan. 1943 where he trained to be a radio operator and gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber Crew. He was a member of the 490th Bomb Group and was stationed in England where he flew 30 combat missions over Germany. Jim's combat tour lasted from May 31, 1944 until Feb. 24th, 1945. He was wounded on June 14th, 1944 and received the Purple Heart midway through his crew's tour of combat. His group later changed to the B-17 Flying Fortress. After the war, he returned home and began his employment with Inman Mills. Jim's father, "Big Joe Sr." died in 1975 and his mother, "Tack" passed away in 1986. Jim's oldest brother Joe Jr." Little Joe" died in April 1994. Joe Jr.'s wife Annette Rhodes Everhart died this year. He was also predeceased by a sister Laura Jane Everhart Foster who died in 2010. Her husband was the late Bob Foster. Survivors include a brother, Rev. John Everhart and his wife Carolyn Everhart of Greenville, SC, four nephews, Jim "Little Jim" and Jay Everhart of Greenville, SC, Michael "Mike" Foster of Chapin, SC and Joe Everhart III of Inman, three nieces Tamara Everhart Gosnell of Inman, Kathy Everhart Shirley of Taylors, SC and Carole Ann Foster Hightower of Inman, Ten great-nieces and seven great-nephews. Jim's adopted family was a WWII crewmember and buddy, the late Walt Endsley plus Jim's "Little Missouri Girls", Brooke and Madison Endsley and Rosanna Kay Smith and Libby Stockton of Orrick, Mo. Jim attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church (Old Inman Mills Methodist) and was a member of the Men's Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 45 and served as their Athletic Officer, the VFW #9539, 8th Air Force Association-490th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force Historical Museum Association and coached Little League Sports for a number of years. Jim served as a positive influence on many men and women who participated in Inman Mills sponsored football, basketball, tennis, softball, volleyball, bowling, golf, and cheerleading programs.Jim has been featured on two ETV programs. In July of 2008 the Inman Mills Ballpark was named Jim Everhart Field in his honor. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 16th, 2011 at 6 PM in the Chapman High School Auditorium in Inman SC conducted Rev. Gary Byrd. The family will receive friends Monday before the services from 4 to 6 PM at the school. Interment will be held in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Inman with Military Rites conducted by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Jim Everhart Scholarship Fund, C/O School District # 1, PO Box 218 Campobello, SC 29322. The family is at their respective homes.