James Richard Bales

James Richard Bales, 76, of Charlotte, NC, died Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at the Levine and Dickson Hospice Facility in Charlotte. Jim was born in Winslow, Arizona, on August 21, 1941, the son of John Russell and Margaret Elizabeth Barstow Bales. When he was 2, his family moved to Westport, Connecticut. He grew up in the New England area and graduated from high school in Northfield, Vermont. Blessed with a talent for acting and voice, he enrolled in the Leland Powers School in Boston. He travelled around a bit before answering his country’s call to service in the United States Army, from which he was honorably discharged. Jim enjoyed many things in life. His voice and talent led him to follow music, and he enjoyed singing and playing the organ. He also enjoyed spending time in Vermont at the family’s summer cabin. Most of all, Jim loved the time spent with family and friends and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Jim is survived by: his daughter, Jessica (husband Eric) Zylker of Lakeway, TX, and their children, Jackson and Chase; a sister, Cheryl Bales Capelle of Summerfield, FL, her son, Craig (wife Susan) Kollegger, and their son Max; a brother, Paul (wife Donna) Bales of Dayton, OH, their son, Peter (wife Amanda) Bales, and their children Jack and Cara; their other son, Josh (wife Dionne) Bales and their children Noah, Scarlet, and Elle; a sister-in-law, Sharon Bales of Vermont and her children Jerome and Chrissy Bales; a sister-in-law, Mary Cheang Bales of New York; a nephew, Paul Bales; and a niece Tracey (husband Sean) Bales McLaughlin. Jim is further survived by numerous other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brothers: Allan, Barry, David and Bob. A gathering of friends and family will be held from 2 to 3 pm on Thursday, January 11, 2018, at Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC. At 3 pm, all will gather in the chapel for a service to celebrate the life, love and blessing of Jim. All services will conclude there. As Jim had many friends in Vermont, there will also be a service planned in July at the family’s summer cabin there. In lieu of flowers and in honor of the many joys Jim found in life, the family requests donations in Jim’s name be made to any charity of your choice.

James Richard Bales

August 21, 1941 - January 9, 2018