Mr. James I. Ransbotham, 76

FAYETTEVILLE Retired Lt. Col. James Irvine Ransbotham, 76 of 1646 Greenock Drive, died on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Funeral Service is Planned : Saturday August 25th at Butler Funeral Home, in Stedman, N.C. at 11 A.M. Dr. Brian Lee will be officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Roseboro. Jim was a hero, husband, father, grandfather, brother and athlete. He was born July 27, 1931 in Atlanta, Ga., the son of the late Taylor J. Ransbotham and Margaret Chambers Ransbotham. He was a former Bass High School and Furman University football and tennis star. He received his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Georgia State University. LTC Ransbotham was a decorated, retired army officer who flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft during three tours in the Vietnam Conflict. He was affectionately called "Mr. Jim". He was named Honorary Crew Chief for the US Air Force Thunderbirds in 1997. He was a member of LaFayette Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC. Jim is survived by his wife, Janie Ransbotham of the home; a son; Jack Ransbotham of Tucson, Ariz.; three daughters, Diane Walter of Elizabethton, Tenn., and Candy Ransbotham of Smiths, Ala. and Karen Ruffin of Signal Mountain, TN.; Two stepdaughters, Kaye Malvarez and Lynn Stone both of Fayetteville; two sisters Ann Carter of Brandon, Fla., and Ruth Maxey of Montgomery, Ala.; Seven Grandchildren, five step grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one on the way; and five great-stepgrandchildren Memorials may be made to LaFayette Baptist Church, 501 Hope Mills Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28304 or to the charity of your choice. Visitation is planned, for Friday, August 24, 2007, 6-8 P.M. at Butler Funeral Home in Stedman