James Richard Alsop Sr.

James Richard Alsop, Sr., 101, of Charlotte, North Carolina passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026.

Born in St. Louis, MO. on March 27, 1925, James was the middle son of seven boys of Carteret Alsop and Eleanore Brown Alsop. Raised during the Great Depression, his early years were marked by economic hardship, which more than once resulted in evictions from his home. He began working at age four selling newspapers to help his family and recalled a bitterly cold morning when his older brother Bob treated him to hot chocolate and a roll from the local bakery, an act of kindness he never forgot, and which marked his lifelong support of the marginalized.

Advised to finish high school before enlisting, at age 17 he joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1942, serving the duration of World War II. Trained as an airman, radio operator and gunner, he flew more than 300 patrol missions over the North and South Atlantic searching for German Uboats, with three confirmed Uboat sinkings. He was honorably discharged in 1946 having earned campaign ribbons, two bronze star medals and theDistinguished Flying Cross with a gold star.

After the war he married Carolyn Clark a Registered Nurse on March 8, 1947, and who passed away in July 1997. He attended Austin Peay State College (now University), earning degrees in Chemistry and Zoology. His career included being a high schoolteacher, work with US Army Ordinance, a Pharmaceutical Sales Manager for the Roerig Division of the Charles Pfizer Company, owner of a Children’s camp and later a company appropriately named Holy Art Works, selling Catholic liturgical art. James was an organic farmer and lifelong fitness enthusiast. Remarkably alert into his 90s, he was awarded a U.S. patent for an invention at age 95.

A devout Catholic, James served as a volunteer catechist teaching CCD classes at St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte, was an active member of St. Matthew’s Church, and in later years attended St. Thomas Aquinas near his home. He is fondly remembered by his children for his magnificent tenor voice and his solo liturgical performances in their Memphis, TN parish.

James is survived by five children, eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

 Son James Richard Alsop, Jr., wife Terri, grandson James Richard Alsop, III, wife Zshila and great grandchildren Maxxi Alsop and Benjamin Alsop;

 Son Thomas Anthony Alsop, granddaughter Carrie Griffin and husband Richie, great-grandchildren Landry and Kaiden Griffin; Granddaughter Christie Webber and husband Geoff, and great-grandchildren Gavin Simone, Sophia Simone, Maggie Webber and Clark Webber;

 Son Joseph Stephen Alsop and granddaughter Stephanie Alsop and husband Zach Naert, and great-grandchildren Paxton Naert and Haddox Naert;

 Daughter Mary Throckmorton, husband Jody, grandson Michael Moyers and wife Christie, and granddaughter Emily Moyers;

 Son John Patrick Alsop, granddaughter Nikki Cochrane, PhD, husband Brandon, great-granddaughters Natalie and Madison Cochrane and great-grandson Evan Cochrane; grandson Scott Alsop.

Arrangement are being handled by Tribute and Tallent Funeral services.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any contributions to the St. ThomasAquinas Renovation fund (currently renovating the Choir loft, an appropriate tribute to his love of liturgical music and member of a church choir). The contributions can be easily made by going to STACharlotte.com ; Click on OnLine Giving Website, and then Church Improvement Fund.