James Marvin “J.M.” Utley, Jr.

DURHAM Mr. James Marvin “J.M.” Utley, Jr., 85 of 4501 Lumley Road, died at home on Saturday, September 12, 2015.
J.M. was born on April 16, 1930 in Durham, the son of the late James Marvin Utley, Sr. and Mabel Jacobs Utley. Owner of Lakeshore Golf Course, J. M. began his career with the City of Durham Fire Department as a firefighter. Also he was a founding member and Chief of the Bethesda Volunteer Fire Department that began in 1963.
After retiring from the City of Durham Fire Department, J. M.’s father, James Marvin Utley, Sr. bought 200 acres of land in the Research Triangle Park and they started a golf course which became a lifelong career for J. M. and his two sons, Marvin III and Lou. They began clearing out trees pulling up stumps, hauling rock with one single tractor. Lakeshore Golf Course opened in 1962.
In 1958, the business continued and the family houses aligned the road in front of the course. The running of the everyday affairs of the club house was run by J. M’s wife, Catherine and in later years by his sister, Peggy Edmonds and Shirley Brinkley. His sister Dot Hackney joined in cleaning the Pro Shop and offering coffee to the patrons. His two sons were the Superintendents and his daughter, Patsy kept the house clean and kept the workers fed. Everyone had a job to do. J. M. continued to work until 2006.
He then retired to cutting wood with his favorite toy, his Woodmizer. This hobby was his lifetime love on the farm in Roxboro until his declining health in 2014.
He was a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church.
J.M. is preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Marie Pendergraft Utley, sisters, Peggy Edmonds and Dot Hackney.
He leaves behind two sons, James Marvin Utley III and wife, Billie Jo, Lou Gary Utley and wife, Jane; daughter, Patsy Perkins and husband, Larry; four grandchildren, Jay Utley (Heather), Kristy Utley, Kim Perkins (David) and Nichole Utley; two great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Jacob Utley.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Hudson Funeral Chapel. Rev. Jack Moody will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Tommy Roberts, Jerry Hackney, Mike Mitchell, Chip Stallings, Ronnie Rigsbee, Rodney Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be R. H. Ballard, Tommy Roberts II and the members of the Bethesda Volunteer Fire Department.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home and other times at the home, 4501 Lumley Road. Flowers are acceptable or donations may be made to the Duke HomeCare and Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704.
The family would like to thank Dr. Linfors for his home visits; Cathy Rigsbee and Crystal Majette who took care of him every day along with his daughter, Patsy and Valerie Norton who was his caregiver at Hillcrest. Special thanks to family and friends that visited J. M. while in the hospital and at home.
Online condolences may be made at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com