Jim E. Searcy

Jim, as his friends and family knew him, was the youngest of seven children born to Jeter Pritchard and Pauline Searcy of Hendersonville, NC. He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Yates, J.P. Jr. (“Bub”), and Johnny, and his three sisters, June, Ann, and Frances. He is survived by Marie Griffin Searcy, his beloved wife of 70 years; his children, Nicholas (Leslie) and Mitzi; his four grandchildren, Chloe Searcy (Josh), Alden Brazelton (Bryce), Omar Searcy, and Parker Willis; his twin great-grandchildren, Braxton and Brooks Brazelton; and his canine friends, Lady and Tucker.

In his 87 years, Jim Searcy was a man of many talents. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 1964 with degrees in Chemistry and Math, and was offered a scholarship to pursue a PhD to Clemson University. Having worked his way through college as a brickmason, laying brick on many buildings on the WCU campus, he asked to have his scholarship held for a year. That request was granted, but in the ensuing year, he made so much money as a contractor that he decided against a career as an academic. He originated the masonry department at Southwestern Community College (now known as Southwestern Technical Institute), and he and his class laid the brick on the very first building on that new campus. He stayed at STI for nine years, teaching masonry, mathematics and accounting, served on the original board of directors, and even started and coached the first basketball team at STI, employing some unique recruiting techniques and amassing an impressive number of technical fouls.

During this time, he also developed some of the first off campus student housing in Cullowhee, building a number of apartment buildings and rental properties on a hillside which is still known to this day as Searcy Mountain.  All of the buildings are still in use. He also developed Locust Creek and built seven houses there, including the one he lived in with Marie until his death. His children were raised in homes he built with his own hands.

He was appointed the Jackson County Tax Supervisor in 1972. After serving for four years, he opened his accounting practice which remained open until 2023, filing thousands of tax returns for hundreds of individuals and businesses, many of whom became not only clients but lifelong friends.

In 1986, Jim purchased the famous Parkway Restaurant, which was a complete surprise to his entire family, and he tortured them all by making them work in it for the next ten years. By the end of it, Searcy’s Restaurant became a staple in the community, until it was sold in 1996 and became what is now O’Malley’s.

An avid golfer, Jim was one of the original founders of the Jackson County Golf Association. After he suffered a stroke in 2012, he returned to play later that year and was awarded Most Inspirational Golfer. He continued to play golf until 2024. As a member of the Siler City Country Club, he won the Super Senior club championship back to back, in 2015 and 2016. As a member of Cullowhee Baptist Church for over 50 years, Jim also served as a deacon, as the church treasurer, and as the property manager.

He also was a lifelong member of both the Republican Party and the NRA. In his later years, he faithfully attended the morning breakfast group at Bojangles known as the R.O.M.E.O. club (Retired Old Men Eating Out), where he drank coffee and told many stories that should not have been told.

He passed down to his children his relentless work ethic, his enthusiastic fandom for the Tar Heels of UNC, and his extremely loud and creative way of addressing referees (especially when his own children played). He was a fun and loving grandpa who didn’t need to go any further than the yard to take his grandchildren on many memorable adventures.  Jim will be remembered for his hilarious sense of humor, his passion for life, his love of his family and friends, and his deep, hard-won belief in His Savior, Jesus Christ.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Cullowhee Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva.

In lieu of flowers, you can honor Jim with a contribution to Cullowhee Baptist Church, East Sylva Baptist Church, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

An online obituary is available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com.