REV. JOHN JAMES ORMOND
Nov. 3, 1926-March 31, 2015
The Rev. John James Ormond died March 31, 2015, at Trinity Grove in Wilmington, N.C.
John, also known as "Jack" by family and others, was born Nov. 3, 1926, in Houston, Texas, to Lewis Fisher Ormond and Mary Belle Ormond.
His family moved to Wilmington when he was 10 years old, and he graduated from New Hanover High School.
He enlisted in the United States Army, and served as a paratrooper with the occupying forces in Japan soon after the surrender.
He later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Virginia Theological Seminary.
John's ministry was most important to him. He served the Episcopal church as a priest for 60 years. He faithfully served the Diocese of East Carolina as rector of St. Paul's in Wilmington, St. Francis in Goldsboro and Church of the Advent in Williamston.
He also served as deacon at Christ Episcopal Church in Hope Mills Good Shepard in Fayetteville and St. Philip's in Holly Ridge; as rector of St. Paul's in Petersburg, Va.; and as curate at St. James in Baton Rouge, La.
John served the Diocese of East Carolina as a member of the transition committee, secretary of the diocese, president of the standing committee and deputy to the general convention.
During his lifetime, John loved two Labrador retrievers, Julian and Bud, and a cat, Chessie, among many others.
John often thought of his longtime home on Masonboro Sound with the well-remembered phrase "land that I love."
John once wrote that Mother Nature's glories live on, aided by caretakers, who are stewards of God's beneficence for a little while.
The family acquired the property three days after D Day in 1944, and passed it on to other caretakers in 2005.
John also found much enjoyment at the Brightmore Independent community, where he lived from 2005 until recently.
The Rev. Ormond held and displayed a deep reverence for the sacramental life of the church and offered true and laudable worship. He was a warm, caring pastor and a gentleman in all his dealings, showing the highest regard and the deepest care for each individual. We give thanks for his faithful witness and ministry.
John was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, David Lewis Ormond; and his cousin, Eric Mueller.
He is survived by his nephew, David Lewis Ormond Jr. his wife, Mara, and their daughter, Lula Margaret; his niece, Ann Lee Howard and her son, Samuel James Howard; and his sister-in-law, Ann Ormond.
There will be a memorial service in thanksgiving of John's life at St. James Parish, 25 S. 3rd St., Wilmington, Saturday, April 4, 2015, at 11 a.m., with a reception in the Great Hall immediately following the service. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, John requested memorial contributions be made to St. James Parish, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Lower Cape Fear Hospice or other charity of choice.
Arrangements are by Andrews Market Street Chapel.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 3, 2015 1:49 PM