James Franklin Shoaf

James (Jim) Franklin Shoaf, 81, of Lexington, NC went to meet his heavenly father on June 2, 2024, at Kiser Hospice, Salisbury.

A funeral will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, with Pastor Leon Waddell officiating.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 – 10:00 AM at the funeral home prior to the service.

Burial will immediately follow at Forest Hill.

Jim was born on December 12, 1942, in Radford, VA, to the late William Graham Shoaf and Catherine James Shoaf before moving to Burlington, NC where he attended Williams High School. He graduated lettering in football as a running back and lettering in track.

After high school, Jim proudly served his country in the US Army as part of the 101st Airborne.

Jim later went on to volunteer with the Special Olympics and mentored several high school athletes in weight training. He spent most of his adult life in powerlifting competitions where he set several state records and won numerous awards including being inducted into the NC Powerlifting and Strength Sports Hall of Fame and the NC Barbell Hall of Fame.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his stepson, Jonathan Ross Kepley.

He leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Julia Michael Shoaf; daughter Melinda Waddell (Leon) of NC; son, Monti Shoaf of NC; stepson, Scott Kepley (Terri) of NC; step daughter-in-law, Kim Kepley of SC; sisters Melinda Shoaf of NC, and Betty Davis of TX; grandchildren, Morgan Carota (Thomas) of SC, Carter Kepley of SC, Peyton Kepley of NC, McKenzie Myers (Brett) of NC, Matthew Kepley of NC, Jonathan Waddell (Natalie), Gabbie McManus (Brannon), and Hannah Wadell; great-grandchildren, Landon, Xander, Kaison, Nate, Asher, and Wyatt; and nieces, Karen Davis, and Stephanie Ferguson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spruce Street Missionary Baptist Church (407 Spruce Street Lexington, NC 27292) or to the NC State Senior Games at https://www.ncseniorgames.org/contribute.