James Caswell Goodnight Jr. (Jim)
August 19, 1942 – September 15, 2025

James Caswell Goodnight Jr., known to all as Jim, passed away peacefully at his home in Valle Crucis on Monday morning, September 15, 2025. Born in Watauga County to J.C. and Rosalie Goodnight, who preceded him in death, Jim lived a life defined by family, community, and hard work.

A graduate of Watauga High School, Jim went on to study at Appalachian State Teachers College and later at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was well known for his sharp wit, often joking, "After earning my degree from UNC, I allegedly taught history at York High School in South Carolina. Thank goodness they didn't have Google back then."

In 1968, Jim returned to Boone to join his father and uncles in starting the family's country ham business. With the support of his cousin and many loyal employees, he helped grow the company into one of the largest employers in Watauga County. By the mid-1990s, after moving operations to the local industrial park, the business employed more than 160 men and women from Watauga and surrounding counties.

Jim was a passionate fan of UNC football and basketball, and he cheered on the Carolina Panthers—especially when they were winning. He proudly attended two Super Bowls to support them. Beyond sports, Jim had a deep love of travel and adventure. He visited Antarctica, where he loved to tell the story of slipping on penguin poop. On a safari in Africa, he spent a sleepless night convinced he was hearing the hiss of a snake or scorpion, only to discover it was the sprinklers. He also explored England, France, Spain, Russia, and many other countries, always bringing home stories that made others laugh.

A graveside service was held at Mount Lawn Cemetery on Friday, September 26, at 1:00 p.m. A celebration of Jim's life will be held Friday, October 24, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 o'clock at the building adjacent to Goodnight Brothers.

Jim's life reflected his devotion to family, his service to the community, and his leadership in business. Goodnight Brothers will continue to operate proudly, as it has for more than 75 years.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.