Fred "Freddie" Belton James, Jr., age 71, died Friday, July 14, 2017 at Hospice Wendover. Born in Rutherford County on December 12, 1945 he was the son of the late Fred Belton and Helen Waldrop James. Freddie attended Poplar Springs BaptistChurch. He worked in various positions in the textile industry, owned his own company "Econo-Tex" where he did machine sales and service, and later, ran No.3 Handy Mart for 10 years. Freddie enjoyed playing golf, Civil War History, beach music, shagging and Ducks Unlimited.

Freddie is survived by his wife of 37 years, Wanda Wesson James; two sons, Chris Dobbins and wife Angela of Shelby, Tripp James and wife April of Chesnee SC; grandchildren, Savana Dobbins, A.J. Dobbins, Austin Dobbins, Sarah and Jessie James; cousin, Dr. Charles James and wife Barbara of Cliffside; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donny Wesson and wife Michele of Earl, Jeff Wesson and Kammie Weaver of Shelby, Todd Wesson and wife Lori of Shelby, Kati Wesson of Shelby; nieces and nephews, Josh Wesson and wife Summer, Cody Wesson, Meagan Hamrick and husband Richie, Amber Wesson, Summer Whitfield and husband Evan, Kirstin Beaver, Eli Weaver; and a great niece, Janna Jo Hamrick; his canine companions, "Bella and Trouble" and a host of other loving family.

Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 7:00 pm at Poplar Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Andy Oliver officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

The family would like to thank Advanced Home Care, Hospice Wendover, Poplar Springs Church Family, Gina Collins, Thalia Brown, Dr. Mike Ribadeneyra and his staff, and the many family and friends, for all the love and care that each one gave Freddie during his illness.

Memorials can be made to: Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby NC 28150 or Poplar Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 1106 Poplar Springs Church Road, Shelby NC 28152

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. James