Jimmy O: Obituary

James (Jim) LeVerne Oxendine, 72 of Rock Hill, SC departed this life on January 19, 2009 at Carolina's Medical Hospital of Charlotte after a brief illness. Jim was born on February 3, 1936 in Rowland, North Carolina to the Reverend James E. and Esther Oxendine of Rowland, NC.

He and Magdalene Jacobs were married on May 26, 1955 in Dillon, SC. He was a member of Catawba Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC where he served a number of roles during his 37 year attendance. He was the founder and President of Red-Line, Inc. of Rock Hill, SC and so honored by a host of achievements and awards during his 23 years of ownership.

Survived by his wife of 53 years, Magdalene Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; son & daughter-in-law Gregory & Sheila Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; son James Michael Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; daughter & son-in-law Denise & Rodney Moore, Rock Hill, SC; son & daughter-in-law David Wayne & Kimberly Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; 14 grandchildren; 1 step granddaughter; 4 great-grandchildren; his sister Ruby Tireman and Bobby Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; Vergie O. Goolsby, Fairmont, NC; Barbara A. Strickland, Linda Oxendine-Emanuel, Brenda Lynn Hunt, and Larry Morgan, Lumberton, NC; Brenda F. Strickland, Pembroke, NC; Johnny B. Oxendine, Tampa, FL; and Sonya Allen-Toman, Yuma, AZ.

He was predeceased by his son Donny LeVerne Oxendine of Stanfield, NC, his parents James E. and Esther Oxendine of Lumberton, his sisters Myrtle Allen and Lucille Oxendine of Lumberton, NC and his brothers Tony, Furmage and Harold Oxendine of Lumberton, NC.

In 1986, Jim Oxendine founded Red-Line, Incorporated – a chemical manufacturing operation. Jim Oxendine, who was President of Red-Line Incorporated a chemical manufacturing operation was the eldest son of 14 siblings raised on a farm near Lumberton, N.C. He worked the fields of the farm two hours before school each day and would leave class at noon. He dropped out of school in the 10th grade to mind the farm for his dad, a sharecropper and minister. He also completed construction work on the side.

He married and sought permanent work at age 19. He traveled to Philadelphia and began work with Neats Foot Oil Refinery. Soon he was promoted to pumping engineer and then operated semi-trucks for the company all over the East Coast. In the mid-1960’s, he returned to the South and was employed with Southern U.S. Chemical and was assigned plant manager within a year. In 1972, he orchestrated a move of Southern U.S. Chemical to Rock Hill, SC and remained as plant manager until 1978 when he joined Annandale Corporation as their Plant Manager in Charlotte, NC. Annandale was sold in 1986. At age 50 and with much determination and a plan, he decided start his own chemical business. The success of Red Line is credited to his long hours and determination to provide quality manufacturing and customer service as the premier focus.



Mr. Oxendine was an avid philanthropist with support to a host of organizations and causes to include his church, mission organizations, The National Kidney Transplant Assistance Fund, the National Kidney Foundation, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Cancer Institute, the Special Olympics, the Rock Hill Area Arts Council, The Red Cross and area sports youth programs. He was very involved at UNC Pembroke and was a loyal supporter of the First and Ten Football Campaign and a member of the Chancellor’s Club and Braves Club.


Visitation will be held Thursday January 21, 2009 from 6:30 - 8:30pm with a celebration of his life service will on Friday, January 22, 2009 from 3pm - 5pm. Both events will be at the Catawba Baptist Church of Rock Hill, SC. Green Funeral Home of Rock Hill is arranging with officiating by Dr. Tommy Huddleston and his pastor Ron Richardson. Internment will follow at the Catawba Baptist Church Cemetery, Rock Hill, SC.