James Daniel Carmody Jr.

Birth Date: 12/12/1994
Deceased Date: 09/30/2023

James Daniel Carmody Jr. was born on December 12, 1994, in Meriden, CT, and tragically left us on September 30, 2023, in a motorcycle accident at the tender age of 28. His time with us was far too short, but his impact on our lives will endure forever.

James was the cherished “Jimmy” his parents raised and loved so much, being a source of boundless joy and promise. Among other Jimmy-isms, he invented the words “fin-ding” (ice cream), “doopties” (cookies), “poonse” (spoon) and the phrase “It’s darking out.” He also gave special meaning to the words “heavy” and “hips”. Most of you won’t understand these references, but to those who do, I hope they will bring back memories of our shared laughs and help you smile through the tears.

James was home schooled through his formative years, where he cultivated a deep connection with his family and was instilled with Christian values. In 2008, he made the decision to obey the gospel. After High School, James began to study economics and business at Johnston Community college.

James was four years older than his sister Meghan and they became absolute best friends in adulthood. He was five years older than his brother Matthew. They all shared a childhood love of the outdoors, dogs, bicycles, dirt bikes, shooting, Legos, and their mom (James still always called her “Mummy”.) James became a role-model, of sorts, for his siblings, who benefited from seeing what not to do as he faced challenges during his late teens and early twenties when he began to struggle with drugs and alcohol. His unwavering love for his family, especially his mother and sister, and their love for him, provided him with the strength to rise above his situation. Additionally, he was able to learn from a few pivotal events. Through these experiences, he emerged as a different man. This was when he started using his given name, “James”, to mark his new beginning and determination to move on to bigger and better things.

James was a devoted dog lover, and the presence of his canine companions, Annabelle and Sheba, brought him great joy and comfort. He understood the unconditional love that dogs offer and cherished their loyalty and enjoyed taking them for walks in the woods. Annabelle, a faithful companion for nine years, was a gift from James to his mother. Sheba, his very own sweetie-pie in his final year, was left in the loving care of his sister, Meghan.

His love for motorcycles began with dirt bikes as a young boy, riding in the yard then exploring the trails with his father, brother, sister, Uncle Ricky, and his cousin Amanda. Together, they spent many hours at Busco Beach in Goldsboro. James’ passion for riding never waned, and he eventually purchased a Honda Africa Twin adventure/touring bike. He spent a week this summer riding it with new friends, the high point of the trip being the “Tail of the Dragon” – 318 curves over 11 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. It was on this bike, where he had spent so many happy hours, that he lived his dream until that fateful day.

James also had a passion for firearms and marksmanship, instilled in him by his father as soon as he was able to obey: “Keep your booger-hook off the bang switch until your sights are on the target.” He received his first gun for his 16th birthday and embraced shooting as a lifelong interest. He joined his family in frequent range days and later ventured into competitive pistol events with his father. His most recent acquisition, a 10mm pistol, was a symbol of his love for adventure riding. He had plans to explore the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, and the firearm was to serve as a defense against bears.

James was a respected and valued manager at Smithfield’s Chicken and Bar-B-Q, where he dedicated himself to his work and his team. On the day of his accident, as he was riding home from a week helping to launch a new restaurant, a turkey vulture unexpectedly took off from the side of the highway and collided with him, cutting short his journey and ours with him.

James was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Paul E. LaPan and Rena M LaPan and is survived by his parents, James Sr. and Tina LaPan Carmody; his sister, Meghan; and his brother, Matthew. He is also remembered fondly by his grandparents, Daniel F. (Pompa) and Corinne T. (Oma) Carmody (nur Oma und ich); his uncle Daniel (Dan) and aunt Leslie Carmody; his aunt Debra (Debbie) Carmody. On his mother’s side, he is missed by his uncle and aunt, Richard (Ricky) and Penny Elliott, and his cousin, Amanda Elliott. James and Amanda shared a special bond as close cousins, and their childhood together created cherished memories.

Despite the challenges he faced and his loss of faith and connection with the church, his parents never stopped hoping and praying for his recovery and return. James’s journey from darkness to light is a testament to the power of love, family, and the human spirit. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, faith, and a love for life’s adventures that touched the hearts of all who knew him.

A memorial gathering to celebrate James’ life will be held at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma, NC, on Friday, October 6, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The family would appreciate it if you’d send any pictures and stories of James in your life to jimmy@jamescarmody.com or the Parrish Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, please follow James’ powerful example and tell all your people that you love them. James was never stingy with hugs and “I love you’s”, and this fact brings great comfort to us during this period of grief. If you find it difficult to love someone, do whatever you can to fix it. Don’t wait until a stupid bird jumps up and, all of a sudden, it’s too late.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at Parrishfh.com