James Edward Capps
April 15, 2023
CHARLOTTE – James Edward (“Ed” or “Eddie”) Capps, 79, died Saturday, April 15, 2023. He was born February 7, 1944, in Hampton, VA to Richard MacDonald Capps and Evelyn Barkley Magee.
Growing up, Ed played Little League Baseball as well as basketball and the clarinet where his love of music began. Ed graduated from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While at the University of Richmond he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and the ROTC. Following college, Ed joined the Army, where he was an Army Medical Officer.
In the military, Ed met the love of his life, US Air Force officer, Judy Schoolfield Capps whom he married in Newport News, VA. After the military, Ed worked in Human Resources with the Newport News Shipyard and eventually received a job in HR with JA Jones Construction Company in Charlotte, NC where he eventually became a Vice President. His career with JA Jones spanned more than 30 years. Prior to his retirement, Ed consulted with Craford Benefits.
If he wasn’t working or at home, Ed could be found playing golf at Piper Glen Golf Course, where he was a charter member. It was upon this course where he made is first hole-in-one on the 17th hole on May 20, 2010.
Besides his love of all things golf, he loved to travel, spend time in the mountains of North Carolina and attend professional dance performances of his children Kristi Capps and Stuart Capps. Ed even once donned a pair of tap shoes and joined his son on stage for a father-son duet.
His vivacious, humorous, and caring spirit greatly influenced all who knew him, but none more than his family, whom he placed above anything else. He never failed to remind his children to “be easy on their mother” and “go give your mother a hug.” It was not uncommon for Ed to often call his children just to say, “I love you” or “I’m so proud of you.”
Ed is survived by his wife of fifty-one years (passing away just 2 days shy of their fifty-second wedding anniversary), Judy; children, Kristi Capps and her husband, Dmitry Trubchanov and Stuart Capps and his wife, Jenifer; five grandchildren and his brother, Richard McDonald Capps, Jr. and family all who will deeply miss him.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
Comments
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Ed was a long time friend, who was a fellow member of the CPEG (a construction industry group of human resource executives).
He had a great sense of humor and great knowledge of our industry.
While at The Austin Company, I employed Ed in his capacity as a benefits advisor during his tenure with Craford.
Rest in peace, My Friend. I cherish many pleasant memories of you, like walking and talking through the French Quarter.
Dennis Raymond -
Ed and I shared many good memories at the Construction Personnel Executives Group and on the Client Advisory Board for Frank Russell Trust Company for many years. Ed always had a great sense of humor in addition to is great compassion for people. He was an outstanding Human Resource professional. The last time I saw Ed was at Frank Russel Trust client meeting and he was dancing unashamedly to the “Macarena”. My best wishes to Judy who was always at his side and supporting him. He loved her immensely. Jerry Cooper.
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Sending love, peace and prayers to Ed's wonderful family.
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Kristi, Dima and family,
We are sorry to hear of your Dad's death, Kristi. He was a consolation and companion to me during Peter's hospitalization in Charlotte in December of 2000 and I will never forget his kindness. A lovely man who, I'm sure, leaves many wonderful memories for all of you, as well as the lovely daughter and other family he created. Our condolences and many blessings as you celebrate his life and live in the hope of being with him again someday. Love, Jim and Susan -
Judy, Kristi, Stuart and family, I'm so deeply saddened to hear about Ed's passing. Honestly, it's taken me a few days just to come to grips with it. He meant so much to the Brutzman family -- we all loved him like a 2nd father. And for Bard, as you know, he was a brother. We are all better people for the incredibly positive influence Ed's had on all of us. We'll talk soon but know that our hearts and love go out to each of you.
-Christian -
Mr. Capps was our second dad in Charlotte and was there for us in good times, bad times, emergencies and celebrations. I first started hearing about the Capps family when I was about 9 or 10 — Mr. Capps’ fond stories of Stuart and Kristi making their way to us in Atlanta through our dad. I still have the porcelain ballerina I bought with my mother, both of us agreeing, “That’s Kristi.” Our move to Charlotte a few years later was so much easier thanks to the kindness of the whole Capps clan. Mr. Capps loved his family so much. Kristi, Stuart and Mrs. Capps, he was a shining light. I’m so sorry you’ve lost him.
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Sharing my memories of Ed Capps.
In 1990, Ed Capps and Fred Brandt interviewed me, young and brash then, for the rotating role of Marketing Services Manager. Neither was uncertain I could function in “a hornet’s nest of creative women.” When I replaced Mike Kubal in the role, I found a tightly knit group including Janet Smith, Dee Morales, and Elaine Helms. It was a growth period for sure but humbling to say the least. I was never young and brash again. Ed had warned me.
In 1998, I joined a new team of whip-smart MBAs including Lisa Wisnewski, Monica Pittsenbarger, Christian Brutzman, and Phillip Wagner to roll out a Balanced Scorecard system across the divisions. We reported to Ed Capps and the JAJ Leadership including Mike Gwyn, Bob Hambright, Ed Ruane, and Jim Taylor. It was Ed that kept us advised of the hazards.
He was a JA Jones fixture. I told him, “If a bomb went off, you might be the only one to climb from the rubble.” He laughed, “Yet there is no line of replacements at my office door, I’m waiting.” I sense he knew "where all the bones were buried" as they say.
Ed was most competitive on the golf course. If I hit a long tee shot, he wondered aloud, “where’s the rest of his game?” With a 56° wedge he was lethal inside 100 yards, his two-putt automatic. At one VP decathlon exercise in Grandview, even blindfolded Ed expected to sink his 25-footer. When he did not, the reason he implied was my faulty description of slope and direction. When Christian sunk his putt, Ed was not pleased. His intensity intimidated me a little bit.
His love of the arts is my favorite facets of Ed, inseparable in my mind from his love of his accomplished and artistic children. I will continue to remember Ed Capps as a man of resilience and descretion, an astute advisor, and a leadership fixture at JA Jones. -
Ed Capps served J.A. Jones family both as a professional in his field and as a supportive mentor and friend. He kept his heart aware of the challenges of "his" people and gave appropriate encouragement and guidance when most needed. He will be missed.
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Ed was quite the professional and yet seemed to conduct himself with an ease and calm that led to positive experiences in a tough job.
I am thankful for the time I spent working with Ed, and offer condolences to his family. -
I first met Ed when I interviewed at J A Jones in 1997. He was very helpful with the travel and accommodations for the interview and with various issues after I joined J A Jones. He will be missed.
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