Ways of Life: A man of many passions
Also remembered: Entrepreneur who founded Bryant Realty; a First Union Bank executive; a leader in mental health advocacy; an elementary school secretary at Rama Road and Landsdowne
You’re reading Ways of Life, a weekly obituaries newsletter from The Charlotte Ledger honoring our friends, neighbors and family members who made an impact on Charlotte through the ways they lived their lives.
Today’s Ways of Life is sponsored by Equity Health:
Equity Health, a VIA Health Partners Company, provides home-based primary care to patients living with serious illness, anywhere they call home. Our high-quality care model results in higher patient satisfaction.
John Barringer, founder of the predecessor of Park Road Books, lived the life of 10 men — and talked and smiled through each one
Among the occupations of John Barringer, who died at 90, were a postal worker, a pastor, a bookstore owner and a volunteer firefighter.
By Ken Garfield
John Barringer’s passions and pursuits filled his cup to overflowing. To live a life of curiosity, adventure and the occasional quirkiness, is there a more profound blessing?
John died on July 17 at age 90. You may have known him as the longtime owner of Charlotte’s Little Professor Book Center, which is now Park Road Books. It’s a jewel of the city, the rare independent bookstore that flourishes in this age of Amazon. John was a jewel, too, a garrulous guy who loved talking books with whoever walked into the store.
Honestly, he just had fun talking and listening. He’d often say “to make a long story short…” even if it was too late for that.
Kate Richards, a longtime friend of John’s from the Charlotte Dilworth South End Rotary Club, loved him for his huge heart and way with words. Lots of words. Being a Lutheran pastor early on life’s journey, John would be asked to give the invocation at Rotary luncheons. Until club members looked at their watches. Then it was, as Kate laughed, “Oh no, we can’t ask John again!”
In her online tribute, family friend Joy Greenwald said that John lived the life of 10 men. That includes working in the U.S. Post Office in Springfield, Ohio, during his summer breaks at Wittenburg University. For the run to the airport, his bosses would give him a gun and a bullet. He had to pay a nickel for the “ammunition.” When the job was done, he returned the gun and bullet and got his nickel back. Barney Fife come to life!
Let’s see if we have enough space for the rest of it.
John worked two summers for the New York Central Railroad, laying tracks and sledgehammering them into place. At Wittenburg, he lettered on the swim team. He attended Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, where he worked in the bookstore, a seed planted. He pastored congregations in West Virginia, Illinois and overseas in Germany, one of his favorite countries. During his ministry in Maryland, he was a volunteer firefighter, delivering two babies. No sanctuary could hold him. The best of John’s church work, said the Rev. Scott Suskovic of Christ Lutheran Church at the funeral, was spent “pounding the sidewalks,” looking for people with whom to connect.
In 1977, hearing the call to the next great adventure, he bought a Little Professor franchise. He and his wife, Carol, wanted to come South. John “researched” Charlotte by spending an entire day watching vehicles stream into Park Road Shopping Center. Thus was born the bookstore.
It was just John at the start. When he had to run to the bathroom, he’d ask one of his customers-turned-friend to cover the front. He loved reading, especially fiction, and being surrounded by the work of his favorite authors, among them Pat Conroy. He got as starstruck as the next guy when the likes of Jimmy Carter and Dean Smith came for author signings.
After 26 years, he sold the store to Sally Brewster, the current owner, which gave him more time for, well, everything.
He rang the Salvation Army Christmas bell at Park Road Shopping Center (of course). He helped set up the Habitat for Humanity bookstore off Wendover Road. Among the righteous causes to which he gave time and money was Samaritan House, which provides a place for those just out of the hospital with nowhere else to turn. If doing a good deed meant traveling on Rotary trips to Bolivia and other distant lands, all the better.
After his wife, Carol, died, John married Gloria Yeager in 1989. She lived three doors from him in the Mountainbrook community. Gloria laughs when she describes herself as “the widow lady down the street.” She did a lot of that — laughing — in her nearly 36 years with John.
John, once a pastor after all, was a walking, talking sermon. His message? Whatever your joy in life, hold on tight until the ride is over.
In his later years, he loved looking out the window for hummingbirds. When one fluttered onto the feeder, he’d shout, “HUMMINGBIRD!!!!” and expect everyone in the house to come running.
He loved the magic of flight. He’d go to YouTube, type in “Heathrow Live Feed” and wait for a London-bound plane to descend from the heavens. If it was a good day for landings, he’d shout, “Gloria, come quick, there’s a 747 coming in!”
Ken Garfield is a freelance writer/editor who specializes in obituaries. Reach him at garfieldken3129@gmail.com.
[9/9/25: headline edited from original to correct name of bookshop]
Today’s Ways of Life is sponsored by Equity Health:
Equity Health, a VIA Health Partners Company, provides home-based primary care to patients living with serious illness, anywhere they call home. Our high-quality care model results in higher patient satisfaction.
Other obituaries this week:
Wanda Aldridge, 78, of Charlotte retired after 30 years working for UNC Charlotte in the computer database department. She loved books, often getting lost in the pages of a story, found joy in cross-stitching and loved sports. She could talk endlessly about the Carolina Panthers and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
James Samuel Alexander, 80, of Charlotte spent much of his life working as a truck driver, but later retired from Queen City Appliances. James found joy in handy work, gardening and listening to old-school music. He took an interest in old-school cars. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome, often through his warm smile, his unforgettable laugh and the stories he loved to share from his younger days.
Ilse L. Ankurs, 79, of Charlotte built a fulfilling career as an accounting clerk at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte. She loved to travel, especially to France, a country she visited often. Ilse loved a good book and the comfort of old movies and television shows.
William Landis Bryant, 89, of Charlotte founded Bryant Realty in Charlotte. He had worked as a butcher at A&P after he first moved to Charlotte. He embraced entrepreneurship with ventures ranging from a pool hall to women’s fitness centers. Landis was an avid bowler and an enthusiastic hockey fan who enjoyed Charlotte Checkers games. He loved to fish. He also enjoyed traveling, going from Maine to Hawaii to Alaska, and abroad to Spain, Monte Carlo, Canada, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.
Thomas “TJ” John Costello, 43, of Charlotte worked as vice president of operations for Charlotte Pipe & Foundry. He was a devoted volunteer at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Charlotte and coached football at Holy Trinity Middle School. He earned an MBA from Queens University. TJ was known for his selfless nature, fierce honesty, sharp wit and unwavering optimism.
Thomas “Lake” Elrod, 77, of Charlotte went to Myers Park High School and received an accounting degree from UNC Charlotte. He had a long career as a CPA. Lake was a lifelong member of Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church and served as a deacon and an elder as well as serving as the treasurer. Lake enjoyed watching football and basketball, reading and spending time at the beach and golf (when there were no alligators on the course).
John Randolph Georgius, 80, of Charlotte served as president and vice chairman of First Union Bank in Charlotte. As the leader responsible for integrating acquisitions, he played a central role in executing the bank’s aggressive expansion strategy. John served as chair of the Charlotte Chamber and Arts & Science Council, as well as playing a key role in securing funding for Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. After retirement, he had more time to spend traveling, hunting and enjoying a more relaxed pace.
Shirley Kaiser Kelley, 91, of Charlotte reinvented herself many times during her life. She was a Charlotte real estate agent for years until she followed her passion for cooking and entertaining. She became the general manager of the Morehead Inn. When the Inn was sold, she managed the Thistle Restaurant at the Dunhill Hotel. She enjoyed golf, travel, fashion, sewing, needlepoint, knitting, jewelry making, painting and music. She got her first tattoo at 70, another at 75 and a third one at 80. She became a jewelry artisan through her 80s, selling her unique necklaces and bracelets at boutiques in both Del Ray, Florida, and Charlotte.
Rodrick “Roger” J. McAllister Sr., 79, of Charlotte established McAllister Landscaping and Grading in Charlotte in 1972. Roger was a member of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Hill in Charlotte. Roger loved to garden and grew some of the best tomatoes you would ever eat. He identified himself as the “World’s Greatest Fisherman.” He loved bicycling, boating and storytelling, as well as enjoying time at Holden Beach in retirement.
Shirley Flowe Newcombe, 87, of Gastonia was a vibrant presence in Charlotte’s tennis scene, serving as captain of the women’s tennis C team at the Charlotte Country Club for over 20 years. Her leadership, competitive spirit and camaraderie on the court inspired teammates and friends alike. She was active in the Junior League of Charlotte, the Mint Museum, the Charlotte Debutante Club, the Nine O’Clocks, the Benedicts and the Charlotte Country Club.
Arnold Wade Osborne, 68, of Charlotte attended Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where he played basketball and football. He graduated from West Mecklenburg High School and later attended Central Piedmont Community College. Arnold worked as a brick mason in the family business and was later employed by Earth Grain. His last employment was at Food Lion. He was widely known for his dance moves and vibrant presence. His favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys.
Carolyn Stacy Nash Phillips, 71, of Charlotte attended Charlotte Country Day School, the University of North Carolina. She graduated from UNC Charlotte. Carolyn was a member of Providence United Methodist Church for almost her entire life and a mainstay of the United Methodist Women and the “crosstalkers” Sunday school class.
Carolyn Jean Robinson, 87, of Charlotte worked as a secretary and administrative assistant at Bank of America and provided sales support for Rimex in Charlotte. Her passion for mental health advocacy was evident in her leadership as president and later secretary of NAMI Charlotte, where she offered compassion to countless families. Carolyn found joy in simple pleasures: swimming, watching birds, solving puzzles and competing in the Senior Games, where she raced bicycles and played badminton with enthusiasm.
James Kenneth (Ken) Sanford, 93, of Charlotte joined the institution that was to become UNC Charlotte in 1964 and served there until his retirement in 1994. He wrote: “Charlotte and UNC Charlotte Growing Up Together.” Ken served as president of the Charlotte and North Carolina chapters of The Public Relations Society of America and the College News Association of the Carolinas. In 1995, Ken was inducted into to the North Carolina Public Relations Hall of Fame and was listed in “Who’s Who in America.” In Charlotte, he served on the boards of International House and the Charlotte Folk Music Society and he was active with St. John’s Baptist Church.
Mose “Moses” Simmons Jr., 75, of Huntersville purchased a building near Wilkinson Boulevard and opened The Shop automotive business that he operated for 35 years. Moses worked at Family Dollar and Alston Canvas Co. for several years before starting his own business. He attended West Charlotte High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1968.
Nanette Aderholdt Temple, 88, of Matthews worked as an elementary school secretary at Rama Road Elementary and Lansdowne Elementary in Charlotte. Nanette was a lifelong Lutheran and attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte. She was a member of the Junior Woman’s Club of Charlotte and several bridge clubs. Her favorite hobbies were reading and walking, which she did almost every day.
Susan Courtney Tucker, 73, of Charlotte was a registered nurse and worked at Presbyterian Hospital and later at the detox center on Billingsley Road. She graduated from Garinger High School. Susan found joy in the simple things, especially time spent at the beach.
Ways of Life condensed obituaries are compiled by Darrell Horwitz.
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Ways of Life editor: Craig Paddock