James Lafayette McGalliard

James Lafayette McGalliard, "Jim", 92, of Morganton Long Term Care died Dec. 4, 2006. Born March 21, 1914 in Burke County, NC, he was the son of the late Elijah and Polly Proctor McGalliard. In addition to his parents, his wife, Dorothy Boyter McGalliard; sisters, Ann Bland, Carrie Moses, Sue Polland, Ruby Jones, and Lib Henson, and brothers, Aaron McGalliard, Paul McGalliard, and Otis McGalliard preceded him in death. Jim graduated from Glen Alpine High School. He attended Rutherford College before transferring to Elon College on an athletic scholarship. He graduated from Elon with a degree in Christian Ministry. Jim had a Methodist ministry calling in the mountains of North Carolina in the late 1930’s. During World War II, he was involved in the construction of military facilities on the East Coast of NC. After the war, he and his family moved back to Burke County where he purchased and developed a successful dairy farm, bringing many new ideas to farming. He bought and used the first field chopper in Burke County. While living in Burke County from 1944 until 1958, he attended Mountain Grove Methodist Church where he taught the Men’s Sunday school class. Jim served on the Oak Hill Board of Education. He also served as a teacher in the World War II veterans training program at Salem High School. The program provided returning veterans with up-to-date training in farming techniques. In 1958, Jim and his family moved to Georgia where he ran a water mill and lumber operation. In the early 1980’s, he moved back to North Carolina and built a home on Snow Hill Church Rd. in Western Burke County. At that time, Jim attended Snow Hill United Methodist Church and Mt. Olive Baptist Church where he sang in the Adult choir.

He is survived by his two sons, James D. McGalliard and wife, Carol, of Pomona Park, FL, and David L. McGalliard and wife, Juanita, of Morganton; a sister, Martha Franklin of Morganton, six grandchildren, Sherry Westhoven, and husband, Charlie, of Houston, TX, Dawn McGalliard, Kathleen Seja and husband, Greg, all of Anaheim, CA, Krista McGalliard of Lafayette, CO, Kim McGalliard of Brooklyn, NY, and David McGalliard of Randolph, Vermont; and seven great grandchildren, Paul, Alex, Melia, Aspen, Gabe, Katie, and Meadow.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 9, 2006 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Leonard officiating. Burial will follow in the Glen Alpine Cemetery. Family and friends will gather at Snow Hill United Methodist Church following the burial. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Snow Hill United Methodist Church, 5425 Snow Hill Church Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 5388 Mt. Olive Church Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.