HIGH POINT — Mr. James (Jim) W. Clontz, 94, passed away on Friday, December 14, 2012 after several months of declining health.

Jim was born in Burke County, February 5, 1918, a son of the late John and Sue Bruner Clontz. He served in W.W.II as a 23 year-old Captain in charge of a company consisting of 163 men and three lieutenants. During his service in Germany at the end of the war, his Army company assisted with trials for Nazi war criminals. Jim faithfully attended his Army reunions until his failing health prevented him from doing so.

Jim graduated from Wake Forest University with a double major in Math and History in 1938 and then with a law degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1941. He had a long and distinguished law career in High Point. He served as an Assistant Solicitor in Guilford County until he opened his law office in High Point in 1946. He subsequently practiced law for more than 50 years and helped found the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, serving as its first president. He served a term on the N.C. State Bar Council, the 18th Judicial District Bar and as the president of the High Point Bar Association. As an attorney, Jim felt that his law practice should include clients from all walks of life.

Jim was an avid golfer and a past member of the Sedgefield Country Club. He attended the Wake Forest basketball and football games for over 50 years. Jim Clontz was an avid reader who was never without a book close at hand. He was active in local politics and the High Point Jaycee, Civitan and Elks clubs. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church and served as a Deacon for many years. For several years, he served on the board of the N.C. Baptist Children's Home in Thomasville. He was a man who loved his family, his alma mater, Wake Forest University, and his community of High Point. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha V. Clontz, a brother, John Clontz and a son in law, Evan Davis.

He is survived by his four children, Sue Davis and Betty Clontz, both of Greensboro, Tamara Beckman (Carl) of New Bedford, MA, and Jim Clontz of Raleigh; three grandsons, Matthew Davis, Charles Beckman (Caitlin) and Carl Beckman (Tracy); three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Davis Funerals & Cremations on Saturday, January 12, 2012 from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. A private family burial service will be held. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the High Point Boys and Girls Club (The Salvation Army) or to the .

Online condolences may be made at davisfuneralsandcremations.com