James Everett Polk

James Everett “Jim” Polk, age 82, of Bostic, NC, died Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Forest City, NC.  Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, he was a son of the late James Knox Polk and Vida Margaret Matthews Polk and widower of the late Bonnie Faye Simpson Polk. He was a 1957 graduate of Joe T. Robinson High School and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.  While there, he was an All American pitcher for the university.  Later, Jim was a very successful basketball coach, having coached several high school teams in Arkansas and later coaching teams at Boyd Anderson High School, Cardinal Gibbons High School and McArthur High School, all in Florida.  During his time in Florida, he also worked for the New York Yankees during spring training and their farm league program.  Jim also owned and operated a sporting goods store, B P Sports, while in Ft. Lauderdale.  He was affectionately known by his family as “Bubba” and was a wonderful father and grandfather.

Survivors include his daughter, Jamie Fox and husband Chris, of Forest City, NC; granddaughters, Madyson Paige Fox and Hannah Grace Fox; a brother, Lynn Polk and wife Polly of Nixa, Missouri, and a sister-in-law, Sue Polk of Hot Springs, Arkansas.  He was also preceded in death by a brother, John Polk and a sister, Mary Ruth Polk.

The funeral service will be held three o’clock Sunday, January 9th at Bethany Baptist Church, Forest City, with Reverend Chris Fox officiating.  The family will receive friends from two until three o’clock Sunday in the church sanctuary.  Interment will be in the Rest Haven Memorial Park, Russellville, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 760 Bethany Church Road, Forest City, NC 28043, or Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. The Padgett & King Mortuary is serving the Polk family.  Online condolences may be made at www.padgettking.com.

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