Last Updated on April 24, 2025 8:24 pm
A long time local business owner and community leader passed away over the weekend.
James “Jim” C. Hastings, 81, of Boone, NC and Sarasota, FL, passed away on Easter Sunday.
A long time Hardee's franchisee owner, he helped open restaurants in five states, including the original Boone location.
Among his community service locally included – he was a co-founder of Santa's Toy Box, served on the Appalachian State Board of Trustees, was the first Director of Watauga County Parks and Rec and the Jaycees which included roles as NC State President and US Vice President.
Jim was also active in politics, both locally and statewide. He served as Chair for the Watauga County and North Carolina Republican Party. He was an advisor for the James E. Holshouser for Governor campaign and served as NC's Director of Tourism under him. He helped bring Presidents Reagan and Bush, Sr to NC for fundraising endeavors and was a three-time recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
For a time he was also a radio show co-host on WATA in Boone.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Deerfield United Methodist Church in Boone, NC, with a greeting and lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. The service will also be live-streamed on Facebook. (Search FB for Deerfield United Methodist Church)
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made to Meals on Wheels, Sarasota (PO Box 178, Sarasota, FL 34230); Santa's Toy Box (PO Box 1184, Deerfield Road, Boone, NC 28607); or the NC Zoo Society (4403 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205).
Obituary courtesy of Hampton Funeral Service
James “Jim” C. Hastings, 81, of Boone, NC and Sarasota, FL, passed away peacefully at home on Easter Sunday,April 20, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, leader, and friend, Jim lived a life marked by deep purpose, unwavering faith, generous love, and boundless adventure. Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Jim Hastings gave his life to others-his family, his friends, his faith, and his community-and in doing so, he built a legacy that will endure for generations. He lived a life defined not by titles or accolades though he had many- but by three unwavering commitments: Faith, Family, and Friends.
Jim was born in his grandparents' home in Casar, NC, a place lovingly called “Delight,” and from the beginning, his story was marked by resilience. Declared stillborn at birth, it was his grandfather's insistence that gave the doctor reason to try one more time-and Jim's first breath was taken. From that moment on, he was a fighter.
He survived polio as a child, overcame a ruptured appendix in the eighth grade that should've taken his life, and went on to become the first person to graduate from his high school lettering in three sports. Jim was a walking testament to resilience and purpose but often credited the “angels” in his life for helping to shape his path.
Jim was a true Southern gentleman-debonair,dignified, and deeply kind. He believed in doing your best, keeping your word, and treating everyone with respect-whether they were a CEO, a server, or his favorite clerk at the Pantry. He remembered names, birthdays, and stories with a memory like the elephants he adored. And he had a gift for making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.
He was a devoted husband of 61 years to his beloved wife, Karen, a proud father to Michaele and Cory, and a superman “Pappaw” to his eight grandchildren. He cherished holidays, family vacations, and porch swing singalongs at the Oak Island beach house. Whether traveling the globe-from the Amazon to the Alps-or gathering around the dinner table, Jim brought joy, curiosity, and generosity to every experience.
He was a man of deep faith, rekindled on his Walk to Emmaus in 1998, and he served in and with his church families at Deerfield UMC in Boone and Siesta Key Chapel in Florida with the same heart he brought to all areas of his life-delivering Meals on Wheels, leading Bible studies, mission trips, and co-founding Santa's Toy Box to bring joy to children at Christmas.
Jim had a passion for public service. He served on an extensive list of boards and councils, including the NC Zoological Council, The Appalachian State Board of Trustees, and the Sarasota Meals on Wheels Board. His political work and lifelong involvement in the Republican Party reflected his desire to make a difference. He served as Chair for the Watauga County and North Carolina Republican Party and worked tirelessly on many local, state and national campaigns.
He was an advisor for the James E. Holshouser for Governor campaign and served as NC's Director of Tourism under him. He helped bring Presidents Reagan and Bush, Sr to NC for fundraising endeavors and was a three-time recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina's highest honors. Whether you agreed with him or not, you always knew where Jim stood-and respected him for it.
His career path was as diverse as it was impactful-from being the first Director of Watauga County Parks and Rec to becoming a successful business leader. As a Hardee's franchisee, Jim helped open restaurants in five states and generously supported the communities they served. But perhaps his most transformative experience came through the Jaycees, where he held numerous leadership roles (including NC State President and US Vice President) and helped shape future leaders across the nation. His involvement in the Jaycees gave him lifelong friends, the ability to positively impact the world around him … and even the opportunity to share a moment with Elvis Presley.
Jim loved a good story and was a captivating speaker, a connoisseur of fine dining (and good barbecue), a radio show co-host, a sports enthusiast, an avid reader, a road-tripper, and a generous soul who never met a stranger. One of his grandchildren's favorite memories is of him handing out money to strangers on Christmas Eve-just to make their day.
As part of the Jaycee Creed, he often said that “service to humanity is the best work of life,” and he lived those words every day. Jim ran the good race and fought the good fight. His life was a testament to grit, grace, laughter, and love – and to the quiet power of showing up for others, right to the very end.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Blalock Hastings; daughter, Michaele Haas and husband, Bryan of Boone; their children, Connor Smith, Cameron, Carrington, and Cailey Haas; son, Cory Hastings and wife, Lesley, of Pawleys Island, SC; their children, Cole, Kursten, Alec, and Aiden Hastings; his sisters, Linda Black (Clift) of Nebo and Debbie Lechner of Asheville; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. Hastings and Selma Short Hastings, and his sisters, Shirley Hastings Brown and Jan Hastings.
A heartfelt thank you to Marco Moya and Denise, who became like family to Jim, (and his family) offering extraordinary care, compassion, and love. We are also deeply grateful to the Affinity Hospice staff for their support and kindness during his final days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Deerfield United Methodist Church in Boone, NC, with a greeting and lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. The service will also be live-streamed on Facebook. (Search FB for Deerfield United Methodist Church)
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made to Meals on Wheels, Sarasota (PO Box 178, Sarasota, FL 34230); Santa's Toy Box (PO Box 1184, Deerfield Road, Boone, NC 28607); or the NC Zoo Society (4403 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205).
Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of local arrangements.
