James E. S. Hynes

October 28, 2024

CHARLOTTE – James Edgar Suffern Hynes, died Monday, October 28, 2024, with his family by his side.  Jim was born July 22, 1940, in Charlotte, NC to the late Ruth and Van Hynes. 

Jim grew up on his family’s farm in northwest Mecklenburg County.  A self-proclaimed “farm boy”, he loved sharing stories of his childhood, which included showing award-winning cattle at the state fair and his earliest entrepreneurial successes raising chickens, much to the amazement of his grandchildren and amusement of friends. 

He graduated from West Mecklenburg High School and immediately following spent the summer in Sweden, living with a family as part of an exchange program.  He always considered this a very formative experience that greatly broadened his world view at a young age.

Jim graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1962, with a BA in English.  It was in Chapel Hill that he met the love of his life, Peggy Pardee, and it was love at first sight.  As a favor to a friend, he drove her back to Women’s College in Greensboro one night and they were together ever since.  Jim and Peggy were married for 61 years, and Jim always said marrying Peggy was the greatest thing that ever happened to him. 

After college, Jim served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy, on the admiral’s staff of an aircraft carrier.  The Navy took him all over the world, including Vietnam. 

Following his military service, he went to work for Hynes, Inc, a family company founded in 1939.  Over his career at Hynes, Jim grew the company from a regional manufacturers’ representative of health and beauty products into a national seller of consumer products.   

Jim also supported the broader Charlotte business community, serving on the Board of Directors of many companies, including Eckerd Drug, First Union Corporation, North Carolina Natural Gas and the Ruddick Corporation (the former parent company of Harris Teeter).   He also served as Chairman of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and was the Founding Chairman of the Charlotte Regional Partnership.  In addition, he was a supporter of educational institutions and served on the Board of Trustees at UNC-Chapel Hill and Charlotte Country Day School, including being Chairman.

According to Jim, his greatest rewards came from serving what is now Atrium Health (formerly Charlotte Memorial Hospital and Carolinas Healthcare System) in various capacities for over 40 years, including as Chairman from 2000 to 2012.  Of his lengthy involvement with the hospital system, he said he “wanted to be involved with an organization that would take care of everyone in the community.”

Jim was an eternal optimist and when asked how he was doing, usually responded “better than I deserve”.  This optimism coupled with a keen intuition made him a go-to resource for friends and community leaders throughout his life. Jim’s favorite venue to meet with people was over lunch at a local restaurant.  There he loved to not only discuss business, politics and sports but was also happy to share “something to think about” (not advice!) for friends who might be wrestling with a difficult issue.  It was at these lunches that Jim became a mentor to like-minded civic leaders, friends, family, business people as well as aspiring political candidates.  There was no one better than Jim to have in your corner when the chips were down, and there was no better advocate to share your successes when things were going well.

Jim was a life-long learner with an insatiable intellectual curiosity.  A favorite conversation starter of his was “what can I learn from you today?”  He was a voracious reader and with Peggy, traveled to over 80 countries, yet always had a list of places he wanted to go next.

Despite maintaining a non-stop schedule, Jim also made sure to find time to relax and unwind. He enjoyed spending time at Wrightsville Beach, Linville, NC, skiing in Colorado and bonefishing in the Bahamas.  Later in life, he became an avid golfer and a round with Jim was loaded with laughs, quips and always a press bet on the 18th hole that he won much more often than not.  He especially loved his trips playing with the US Seniors Golf Association.  

Above all, Jim always put his family first.  He was a doting husband and an always supportive father and father-in-law, and a wonderful “Grandy” to his grandchildren.  He never missed an opportunity to be with them and support them in any way possible.  His favorite piece of advice was “never let anyone tell you who to be,” and this one simple line coupled with his unconditional support gave family members the courage to follow their passions and accomplish goals they never would have thought possible.

Shortly before his death, Jim was asked what had mattered most to him.  First and foremost was his family.  After that came the fact that Charlotte had grown to become a major city, that Atrium Health had become a major place of healing for people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures and that his hometown was on a path to racial reconciliation. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Peggy; his daughters, Laurie Durden and her husband, Ned of Charlotte, and Happy Clark and her husband, Bill of Wilmington, NC; three grandchildren, Jane Durden, Annie Durden and William Clark; his sister, Mary Halter of Scottsdale, AZ; sister-in-law, Patti Pardee of Charlotte as well as nieces, a nephew and numerous grandnieces and nephews.  Also surviving is his assistant of 30 years, Ginger Grimes.  Jim was predeceased by his daughter, Suzanne Pardee Hynes. 

The family wishes to extend a special thanks for the care and kindness shown by Atrium Health, Perspective Health, St. George Physical Therapy, The Careweavers, Via Health Partners, the Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster and the caring staff at FirstLight Home Care.

A private service will be held for the family.  The family will receive friends from 3:00-5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Quail Hollow Club, 3700 Gleneagles Rd, Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Jim to the charity of your choice.

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.

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Comments

  • Tim Hose

    I saw Jim at Quail Hollow Club a number of weeks ago and he was headed to the practice range for a gold lesson. As always, he was upbeat and ready to tackle the day fully.
    I have known Jim for more than 40 years, both as an investor in our properties and a fellow QHC member. The obituary above captures Jim extremely well. It was rewarding to read it and learn more about a guy I have respected for a long, long time.

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  • Lucas Decker

    I met Mr. Hynes about five years ago while working at the local pharmacy. We hit it off right away and honestly he felt like a father figure to me. He was such a giving person and him and Margaret felt like family. Always asked about my children and I appreciated the friendship we formed. You will be greatly missed.

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