James Plair

James "Jim" B. Plair changed worlds on Sunday, February 7, 2016, at Elizabeth House at Four Seasons Compassion for Life where he was visited and surrounded by his family. He was born in Moultrie, Georgia, June 30, 1928, the son of the late B.H. "Jack" and Susann White Plair.

Jim was a member of St Philips Episcopal Church in Brevard, NC and a longtime member of St. Andrew's Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC; and he was active in both communities. He was a Rotarian in Charleston and a charter member of the Mt Pleasant Rotary Club where he served as the third President of the Club. Jim later became a member of Rotary of Brevard and was the former Race Director for many years. He helped found the Brevard Community Band in May 2001 and served as its Treasurer. Jim also enjoyed volunteering at the Brevard Chamber of Commerce, greeting and chatting with Brevard's visitors. Prior to his move from Slick Rock to College Walk, Jim and Sally spent many hours in his workshop creating varied wood pieces - the last of which, his armoire, his children would love to elaborate on! He was a charter member and the first Secretary of Brevard Authors Guild; but let's not forget his avid and enthusiastic participation in the bi-weekly poker games at College Walk where he enjoyed the comradery of his special poker buddies.

Jim graduated from The Citadel in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He rarely missed a Citadel football game and if he was not present in person he watched on TV or on his computer.

He was a veteran of the US Army and also served in the US Army Reserves for 28 years. During his service in the US Army he served in the Korean War. His experiences in the military fostered his concerns for today's veterans.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, he started his Civil Engineering career with Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff in Kansas City and his work later facilitated their living in Turkey and Japan. These two overseas experiences were very influential in shaping his love and deep appreciation for the country of his birth. When he returned to the US, he worked for General Tire in Charleston, SC; and later went on to become the assistant director of Charles Towne Landing in Charleston.

In 1973, he joined The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, now known as AXA Advisors. He retired as an active registered representative with The Equitable in 1999, even though he continued to be in business in Brevard, NC until 2007. Jim was a member of the AXA Hall of Fame and a multiple member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

His intense study of the Constitution which began 40 years previously culminated in a self-publication in 2002 of his book Three Score and Thirteen. Later he was approached by a publisher and A Study of the United States Constitution and the Federalist Papers was published in 2015. Until his death, Jim participated in book signings, presentations, speeches, lectures and most recently speaking to Brevard High School students.

Jim had a great love for God, and His Son, Jesus, his wife, family, country, and the Constitution. Together with his computer he articulated his continuing thoughts on his blogs where he discussed the Constitution and its application to current events.

He is survived by Sally Thrower Plair, his wife of 61 years; one son, James B. "Jimmy" Plair, Jr. (Kathy) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; two daughters Terri Plair Strauss (Richard) of Columbia, SC and Lisa Plair Yeager (Greg) of Ft. Mill, SC. Not to be forgotten are his six grandchildren and four great grandchildren who knew him lovingly as "Poppop".

On Saturday, February 13, from 2:00-4:00 there will be over tea and cookies a Drop-in at Miller Hall, St. Philip's Church, 256 East Main Street, Brevard. We hope others will join us in the celebration of Jim's life.

A graveside burial will be at a later date at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Philips Episcopal Church, Capital Campaign Fund, 256 E. Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712 or Elizabeth House at Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Street, Flat Rock, NC 28731.