Obituary of James L. Moretz

James Leroy 'Jim' Moretz, age 68, of Joines Road, Creston, died Monday morning, February 28, 2011 at Ashe Memorial Hospital. Born August 23, 1942 in Watauga County, he was a son of Lucy Greene Moretz and the late Jones Moretz. Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and served during the Viet Nam Era. He owned and operated Pond Mountain Native Plants and Jim Moretz Photography. Jim was a former park ranger at New River State Park and was a member of the Pond Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. He was a skilled knife maker and gun smith. Mr. Moretz is survived by his wife, Terri Baker Moretz; two sons, Jon Moretz and wife, Kim, of Creston and Karl Moretz and wife, Leah, of Boone; his mother, Lucy Greene Moretz of Boone; two brothers, Jerry Moretz and wife, Betty, of Boone and Bill Moretz of Charlottesville, VA; two sisters, Ruby Jump and husband, Paul of Smithfield and Anita Townsend and husband, Tim, of Mountain City, Tenn.; two granddaughters, Liberty Anne and Siah Lena Moretz, both of Boone, and two step-grandchildren, Austin and Amber Amon, both of Creston. Funeral services with military honors will be conducted Saturday afternoon, March 5, 2011, at 1 o'clock at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, officiated by pastor Cindy Banks. The family will receive friends following services, at the church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Pond Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, 6038 Joines Road,Creston, NC 28615. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Moretz family.