Tart, Jim

As a ten-year old child, Jim Tart and his younger sister Carol moved to Kenly, North Carolina when their parents, James Layton and Marie Johnson Tart, bought the local Chevrolet dealership. The Tart family lived in the Glendale community where Jim attended Glendale Elementary School and North Johnston High School. After his graduation in 1978, he attended Atlantic Christian College and graduated in 1982 with a degree in business administration. He joined his father at Tart Chevrolet as Vice President. In 1989 he became general manager of Aycock Auto Auction.

On August 8, 1982 Jim married Beth Foster. The Tarts had two daughters. Ashley Elizabeth, born August 19, 1986, and Allison Leigh, born July 27, 1988. Jim and Beth Tart and their daughters lived in the Springhill community of Wilson County.

Jim Tart was very active in the Kenly Missionary Baptist Church where he was a member. He was active in the Messengers Youth Group during his teenage years, and, as an adult, he and his family remained in the church. Jim served as a deacon and as Chairman of the Building Committee of the new church after the original facility burned on December 24, 1990.

Jim was a member of the Kenly area Jaycees assisting in various community service projects including serving as chairman of the Kenly Christmas Parade. Jim's hobbies included hunting, fishing, and golf. His love of golf is remembered today through the Jim Tart Memorial Golf Tournament, the proceeds of which are used for the Jim Tart Memorial Scholarship, which is given annually to a graduating senior at North Johnston High School.

On February 21, 1992 Jim was involved in an automobile accident that resulted in his death on April 13, 1992. His funeral service on April 15, 1992 was the first service held in the yet unfinished Kenly Missionary Baptist Church Building.

The Tart family was blessed to have had this loving father, husband, and son; the Kenly community was blessed to have had this active, young leader of great potential.