HOLLY RIDGE – James Hiram Padgett, 89, passed away in his home on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Providence Baptist Church, Ocean Highway, Holly Ridge, NC. Burial will follow at Elisha Padgett Cemetery in Holly Ridge.

He is preceded in death by his father, Elisha Padgett and his mother, Ethel Coston Padgett, also of Holly Ridge; his wife, Edna E. Etheridge Padgett, of Columbia, NC; daughter, Wanda K. Clayton of Austin, Texas; granddaughter, Tefiney Desaree Boyden of Hampstead, NC; and his brother, Thurman Thomas Padgett also of Holly Ridge.

He is survived by his siblings, Ophelia Brazelton of Havelock, Dale Padgett (Janice) of Holly Ridge, Elmer Padgett (Brenda) of Holly Ridge, Martin Padgett (Cathy) of Holly Ridge, Juanita Duncan of Niceville, FL, O'Neal Padgett (Lynda) of Burgaw, Angie Parker of Burgaw, Coston Toler (Charles) of New Bern, Justin Padgett (Wanda) of Holly Ridge, and many nieces and nephews.

He leaves behind his daughter, Edna LaVerne DeLong (Willie) of Holly Ridge; grandchildren, ShaShuwnna Hester (Kevin) of Jacksonville, Derrick Ritter (Tandy) of Holly Ridge, Nicholas Kanirie (Kemfe), Elliott Kanirie, both of Austin, TX. Kenneth Ritter (Emily) of Holly Ridge, P.J. DeLong of New York; his great grandchildren, Jasmine Padgett of Waco, TX, Justice Padgett of Jacksonville, NC, Cole Mercer of San Diego, CA, Mason Henna-Kanirie of Austin, Texas, Landon DeLong of Elizabethtown, Tennessee, Mila DeLong of Texas, Lena Ritter and Willow Ritter of Holly Ridge, Zephaniah and Josiah Hester, Miriam, Madeleine, Zachariah, Kaylee, Kensly, Cadence Kanirie all of Austin, Texas.

James served 22 years in the United States Coast Guard and while the military took him around the world, his roots were always in Holly Ridge. There, he found his second career in Law Enforcement, as Holly Ridge's Police Chief. Later he was appointed to the North Carolina State Magistrates Office in Onslow County, where he later retired a 2nd time. He was a hard-working man. He was a member of the Holly Ridge Fire and Rescue Department. He as a long time member of the Providence Baptist Church. James placed his salvation, his family, and community above all things. He always believed in helping his neighbor. He and his siblings believed in spending as much time as possible with each other, whether it was planting their gardens, sharing gifts at Christmas with those that needed it, or sitting on a porch reminiscing about years gone by.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00pm on Saturday, June 29 at Providence Baptist Church prior to the service at 2:00pm.