James Fredrick "Jim" Steele

On November 13, 2025, James Fredric Steele was welcomed into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Jim’s greatest triumph was to know and love the Lord with all his soul, all his strength, and all his might. This achievement, however, was not accomplished by Jim’s larger than life personality or his determined will, but rather by believing the truth of salvation that Jesus offered to all of us when He died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15: 3-5). Not by any good works, but by Jim’s simple act of faith in Jesus, can we all rejoice in knowing Jim is now eternally in the presence of God.

Jim was born in Sioux City, Iowa on August 8, 1938, but spent his formative years in Wellesley, MA. After graduating from Colgate University in 1960, Jim moved into a career which consisted mostly in selling office furniture for Herman Miller. In 1978, Jim married the love of his life, Gwen Nolan, and together they lived in Wellesley, MA, Chicago, IL, and Greensboro, NC before finally settling for nearly 27 years in Blowing Rock, NC. It was in that idyllic mountain town which Jim loved so dearly that he gave much of his energies towards golfing with friends and serving in various capacities—he was a member of the Planning Board, a member of the Town Council, and on the Blowing Rock Foundation Board. Jim was a member of First Baptist Church, and later a member of Middle Fork Baptist Church, as well as a charter member of the Men’s Connection Bible Study. Jim and Gwen have mostly lived in Spartanburg, SC since 2022 where they attend Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Jim was one of those people who had a presence about him that was palpable. Christmas didn’t officially begin until Jim walked into the house wearing his special red socks and crisp red sweater, his voice booming and that infectious smile spreading across his face. For many, he was a great encourager, always fighting for their future, especially as he mentored young men when they needed guidance or a father figure. Half-truths, laziness and inefficiencies were unacceptable to Jim, and he managed to bring out the best in others even when it had to be squeezed out of them. 

May Jim’s example be a model for us—how to love God with all our heart and love others that we might make a difference. The world may seem a dimmer place when people like Jim leave us, but there have been visible, lasting effects from his life that carry on and fuel us to be more Christlike, so his legacy lives on. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blowing Rock Foundation, Spartanburg Regional Hospice, or Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In honor of Jim, a celebration of life reception will be held on Wednesday, December 10 between 11 am - 2 pm at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Armor, 962 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock, NC.