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James Ponder "Jim" Falls Sr., 71 died October 18, 2007 at his residence after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
A lifelong resident of Gastonia, he attended Gastonia High School (later Ashley). He was on the football team where he was known by the nickname "Mule Train." He later attended the Citadel in Charleston, S.C. and earned a B.S. degree in Commerce and Business Administration. Later joining the Army he was the 1st Lt. where he served in the 1st Battle Group of the 29th Infantry in Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1960, Mr. Falls left the Army with the rank of captain.
While at Fort Benning, Mr. Falls met his wife of 47 years, Judith "Teddie" Falls.
After his military service, he decided to become a stock broker and attended the New York Institute of Finance and worked in that position in various firms for over a decade.
Mr. Falls moved back to Gastonia in 1971 where he worked with Mr. C.P. Nanney and later purchased Sun-Drop Bottling Company from him. In 1987, Mr. Falls changed the name of his company to Choice USA Beverage, Inc. as it is know today.
Mr. Falls was a member of Gastonia Rotary Club, receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award; Soft Drink Association, Board of Directors for First Citizens Bank, member of Carbonated Beverage Inst. in Washington, DC. He was an Eagle Scout, doing much work with the Scouts of Gaston County and was on the Board of Advisors of the Boy Scout Program. He was active in many local charities.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and a former Sunday School teacher.
On a personal note, I didn't have the privilege to meet this great man. He, his wife and family have helped to support our community optimist club over the past five years, and possibly prior to my involvement. The Falls family has been very kind to us and continue to be supportive. Request for memorial - in lieu of flowers to be made to Chapel Grove Optimist was bitter sweet. We know that a family lost a loving husband and father due to cancer. We all know someone fighting this same battle daily, it is not easy to endure the treatments and changes that you go through, mentally and physically.
Our organization serves approximately 100 children per sport season. Funds that come into our club are spent out on the youth activities, equipment, awards, community projects and sports banquets. Our facility is in need of repair and improvement. The support that has been given on behalf of a loving, kind and generous man will be used for the repair and improvement of our facility that currently holds the Falls family name.
To the many people that did send memorials to our club, we couldn't thank you enough. I have found myself being amazed at the number of people that J.P. Falls has impacted and the high regard for him that they must have. As I mentioned before, I never got to meet this man but I feel as though, he must have been humble, easy to talk to, a down to earth man that was able to succeed in the business world.
Mentioning that he played football and had a nick-name that was not forgotten shows me how important it is to have teamwork, friends and sportsmanship in a young persons life. All of these things can help to form a person in a great way. Having the nick-name "Mule-Train" tells me he was determined and unstoppable - I think these words could sum up his lifetime of achievement and success. Mr. Falls, from the out-pouring of support that we have received in your memory, we know you will be missed.
Teddie, Jay & Debbie, you are in our thoughts.
Chapel Grove Optimist Club
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