The state’s youngest governor since the 19th century — at age 38 when he was elected — died Monday morning.
Former Gov. James Eubert “Jim” Holshouser Jr., the 68th governor in North Carolina, represented the highest position in the state from 1973 to 1977.
“He was a great guy,” former Kinston mayor Buddy Ritch said. “He was very friendly to everybody.”
A Southern Pines attorney, Holshouser helped consolidate the University of North Carolina system under a Board of Governors, provided funding for the community college system, supported statewide enrollment for kindergarten and state parks and established health clinics in rural areas.
A native of Boone, Holshouser served 16 years on the UNC system board, according to the News & Observer. Later, he served as member emeritus.
Ritch said he recalls Holshouser’s role on the board “put a star in his crown” by his commitment to adding buildings to UNC Chapel Hill and thereby increasing teacher positions, as well as their salaries.
“I always wanted to make sure,” Ritch said, “he didn’t forget the poor folks on Tobacco Road in Eastern North Carolina — and he didn’t.”
Holshouser was the first Republican governor since 1896, winning by a small margin.
Kinstonattorney P.C. Barwick Sr. said Holshouser’s experience with the Legislature prepared him for his role working with the Democrat majority as governor.
“He was a leader,” Barwick said, “and he worked with the majority on the important issues in the state — education and others.”
One of those other issues was the Kinston airport, which Barwick said he designated as a regional airport — over Greenville, New Bern and Jacksonville.
“That was sort of a gutsy call on his part,” Barwick said. “… I think it was very significant that he designated us as a regional airport because funding was most important.
That designation allowed additional funding to build a terminal and make other improvements, at least until deregulation, Barwick said.
Lenoir Community College President Brantley Briley said Holshouser was governor when he was just starting to work in the community college system at a time when the system was “experiencing rapid growth.”
“I remember,” Briley said, “he was a governor who supported the system with funding, and I also remember he was a governor who was good to the state employees. … Those were years when state employees were getting substantial salary increases.”
U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan stated in a press release Holshouser appointed a number of blacks to key positions and is known to have named the first woman to a cabinet-level position.
“Jim was such a good man, and I’ve long admired his ability to work with Democrats and Republicans,” Hagan said. “His moderate, consensus-building approach made him an effective leader who brought health clinics to underserved areas, bolstered our public education system and backed important legislation to protect our environment. Jim served during a time of great change in our nation.”
Ritch said Holshouser fit in well with the Democrats.
“He was a very popular governor,” he said, “and he listened to everybody.”
A residence hall at UNC Charlotte and a portion of U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock is named after him.
In 2006, Holshouser received the North Carolina Award.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.