James K. Paschall | Eastern NC Now

Born: November 07, 1940, Died: September 18, 2014

    James Kenneth Paschall (Clayton James) 73, of Norfolk, Va. went to sing with the Angels on September 18, 2014, at Thornton Hall Nursing Home, Norfolk.

    He was born to Kenneth Edward Paschall and Sara Margaret Paschall on November 7, 1940, in Louisburg, North Carolina. He is survived by a brother and two sisters, J.B. Paschall of Belhaven, NC, Jean Williams of Belhaven, NC, and Joyce Tucker of St. Louis, MO. He also leaves ten nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his longtime friend, R. Stanley Hudgins.

    James was a brother, an uncle, and a friend to so many. To Brandi Holliday he was a father figure and teacher and to Bailie and Chandler Holliday, they "adopted" him and affectionately called him Grandpa James. He also leaves behind to cherish his memory, longtime friends, Tony Pritchard, Karan Hudnell and Lynda Pritchard, as well as a host of friends that are train collectors, musicians and the entire staff at El Rodeo Restaurant, his favorite place to eat.

    James was also known in the local country music world as, Clayton James. He formed his first band in 1979 "Clayton James and the Prospectors". He was the house band at the Silver Dollar in Virginia Beach during the late seventies and eighties. He also played at the Silver Saddle in Norfolk and almost every other country venue in the area. He was a Nashville recording artist, and was a member of the Virginia Country Music Association for many years. He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1962 to 1966, and was stationed at Craney Island in Portsmouth, Va. aboard the USCGC Chincoteague (WAVP-375). After his discharge from the Coast Guard, he was employed by W.D. Sams and Son in Norfolk as a plumber.

    In the mid-eighties he opened a bar in Norfolk named Clayton's. In the late nineties he opened an antique train store called The Train Depot on Granby Street also in Norfolk. He decided to retire in 2004 so that he could travel.

    He was a very talented man who wore many hats. The main one being a cowboy hat. For many years when he was playing music, he was never seen without one. He would willingly teach anyone who wanted to learn anything from playing the guitar to rebuilding old bicycles. He had a love and passion for collecting antiques, old cars, toy trains, to name a few. His declining health in the last few years limited him from doing many things. His most recent health issues were a heart attack and massive stroke. The family would like to give a special thanks to Sentara Leigh Hospital, Thornton Hall Nursing Home and Caregiver and friend Georgie Baller for their exceptional and compassionate care. He touched so many lives and left an imprint on our hearts. Thanks for all the great memories, love, and good country music.

    The family will receive friends at the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments Sunday afternoon September 21st from 1:00 until 3:00p.m. followed by a funeral service at 3:00 with the Reverend Rob Pittman officiating. James will be taken home to North Carolina for a visitation and service at Paul Funeral Home in Belhaven, services will be Tuesday September 23rd visitation from 10:00 to 12:00 with services at 12:00. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hdoliver.com or www.paulfuneralhome.com

    "Get ready Sandy Poley, Johnny Wolfe, Linda Dee and Bucky Edwards. We'll be playin' music again"

    Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Paschall family.