James "Jim" Franklin Lancaster

Lancaster Yadkinville-  James “Jim” Franklin Lancaster, 78, passed away peacefully Thursday October 19, 2017 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.  He was born June 8, 1939 in Louisburg, NC to the late John Mack and Otelia Johnson Glasgow Lancaster.  Mr. Lancaster was retired from the US Air Force with the rank of Colonel and 30 years of service.  He enlisted with the US Air Force in May of 1958, received his commission through Officer Candidate School at Texas in 1961, and was awarded his wings in 1962 at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.  Colonel Lancaster was a veteran of the Vietnam War and other conflicts throughout the world with more than 5,000 hours as pilot of the C-130 aircraft, 735 of which were combat hours, and 180 combat support hours during Vietnam alone.  He was stationed throughout the world including Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, and was later assigned as Air Staff Action Officer for Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.  He retired as the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing Deputy Commander for Resource Management, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.  During his service in Little Rock Air Force Base, he served as Chairman of the Board for the Little Rock Air Force Base Federal Credit Union, where he was instrumental in the development and growth of the credit union throughout the state of Arkansas.  Colonel Lancaster graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1976 and completed his Master’s Degree in International Relations from Troy State University in 1978. Upon his retirement, he relocated to Apex, NC where he was an active member of Potter’s Hand Bible Church, and served the church faithfully on the Leadership Team.  Recently he and his wife moved to Yadkinville, NC where they became members of Maplewood Baptist Church.  In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Edward Harold Lancaster.  Surviving are his devoted wife of 55 years, Patricia Luke Lancaster, of the home; 2 sons, Jimmy (Penny) Lancaster, Yadkinville; Frank (Laura) Lancaster, Sherwood, AR; Grandchildren, Jeremy Phillips (Andrea Fratto) of Clarksburg, WV; Patrick Lancaster, Yadkinville; Sloane Lancaster and fiancé  Dustin Keathley, Sherwood, AR; Jessica Lancaster, Yadkinville; Madeline Lancaster, Sherwood, AR; Great-Grandchildren, Eva, Joseph, & Jamison Fratto-Phillips; sister, Charlotte Faye Phelps of Cary, NC; and several nieces and nephews. .  A Celebration of Life Service for Colonel Lancaster in the Apex area will be 1:00 PM Saturday October 28, 2017 at Potters Hand Bible Church in Apex, NC by Dr. Steve Rumley and Dr. Matt Mitchell with a time of fellowship with the family to follow the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Potters Hand Bible Church Building Fund, 3468 Apex Peakway, Apex. NC 27502. A Celebration of Life Service for Colonel Lancaster in the Yadkinville area will be 3:00 PM Sunday October 29, 2017 at Maplewood Baptist Church in Yadkinville by his son, Rev. Jimmy Lancaster and Full Military Honors provided by the U.S. Air Force.  A time of fellowship with the family will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall.   The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Trinity Elms, Dr. Vaidya and Kat at Hematology/Oncology Physicians, and the Physicians, Nurses, and Staff of the 8th floor, ICU, WFU-Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, for all the loving care and hospitality given during their time of need.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Project RACK, PO Box 576, Yadkinville, NC  27055 or to the Yadkin Camp of Gideons International, PO Box 2451, Yadkinville, NC  27055.  Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville, NC is serving the family and online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com.