FRANKLIN - James G. “Jim” Wrinn, 61, passed away peacefully at his Brookfield, Wisconsin home after a courageous, 14-month long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born to John and Kate Wrinn in Franklin, Jim grew up an only child and with parents who were both retired by the time he was a teen. His father was an agricultural agent for Macon County while his mother was Clerk of the District Court until she had Jim when she stepped down in that role. Much of Jim’s good nature and compassion came from his parents, whom he adored.
While Jim might have left Franklin, Franklin never left Jim. He grew up riding his bike all over town and exploring the mountains miles from his home. Pictures of those mountains adorned his home the rest of his life. Many friends he grew up with on Lyle Street and surrounding streets were friends until his last day. The first newspaper he ever worked for (in high school,) The Franklin Press, planted the seeds to his future as a career journalist. He always enjoyed his visits home to visit family, friends and his boyhood home, which he still owned.
He is survived by his railroad-loving wife and partner, Cate Kratville-Wrinn; beloved dog, Millie; several cousins including Michelle (Steve) Green, Anna Green, AnnaJane Carson (John Warren), Jane (Bill) Hopper, Barry Downs, Frank Myers, Claire Myers (Tricia Higgins), Stephanie O’Dell, Rebecca (Richard) Dobbins, Carl (Dianne) Myers, Anne O’Dell (Danny Ernest), Mary Lucy O’Dell, other family members; and special friend Arthur Zimmerla who lived with Jim and Cate.
Public visitation will be held on June 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. with a celebration of life starting at 6 p.m. at Macon Funeral Home. A future memorial event will be held at the NCTM. We encourage all railfans to attend that event to be announced later at nctransportationmuseum.org/.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the following three organizations:
North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 69, Spencer, N.C. 28159
nctrans.org. On your check, please write in “In Memory of Jim Wrinn” in the memo area. Online, choose “Graham Co Shay #1925” in the “Please Use My Gift” section.
Durham Museum, 801 S 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68108 or durhammuseum.org. On your check, please write “In Memory of Jim Wrinn” in the memo area.
UNC TEACCH Autism Program c/o UNC Medicine, PO Box 1050, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-1050 or teacch.com