James Nairn Ferrier

James Nairn Ferrier, Jr., 87, of Littleton, NC, passed away March 11, 2026, at ECU Medical Center in Greenville, NC. He was born in Newark, NJ on August 30, 1938, to the late James Nairn Ferrier, Sr. and Elizabeth Goldie Ferrier.

He grew up along the New Jersey shoreline where he enjoyed fishing and sailboat racing. He attended Syracuse University and Montclair University, earning his B.A. and M.A. in Fine Arts. He began his career as an art educator at Monmouth Regional High School before heading into the business world, working as a human resources officer in the banking industry until his retirement. He also proudly served in the United States Air Force.

Jim’s interest in the arts continued throughout his life. He continued to teach adult art classes and exhibited his art in many venues. His love of being on the water was also lifelong, teaching his children to sail in Shark River, NJ and spending countless hours on the water, sailing and later, cruising in his pontoon boat, with the grandchildren on Lake Gaston.

James is survived by his wife Cathy, his sons Jeffrey P. Ferrier (Stacy) of NJ, Ian Nairn Ferrer (Karlee) of Ohio, his daughters Stephanie Ann Ferrier (fiancé Terrence) of NJ, and Amy C. Towery of NJ, and his grandchildren Austin, Mason, Jordan, Charlotte, Cameron, Macklin, Nolan, Brynn and Callum.

A visitation will be held at Hockaday Funeral Home on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 4:30PM to 6:00PM. Family and friends may sign the online register by visiting www.hockadayfs.com. At a future date to be announced, the family will hold a celebration of life gathering in New Jersey, where Jim and Cathy spent many years of their life before moving to Lake Gaston in 2013.