James Walker Stowe

CONCORD- Beloved server of fish and men James Walker Stowe passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026 at the age of 86. While his family’s hearts are broken, they are grateful that he did not suffer and that he passed away surrounded by love and family.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Wilkinson Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 3, at 5:00 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Church. Plan ahead – it may be hard to find a seat.

Jim was a native Concordian, graduating from Winecoff High School, where he attended Boys State among other honors, and attending Biscayne Southern College and King’s College after joining the Navy where he was stationed in Japan for most of his four-year tour. “They found out I took typing in high school so they made me a clerk on the USS Coral Sea. It was a good duty – I never got shot at!” he said.

After leaving the Navy, he became a body and frame repairman at a relative’s trucking company in Charlotte. But it was not long before the restaurant business – and the chance to be his own boss – called him to a friend’s empty storefront space in China Grove, where The Stowe-A-Way Fish House was born in 1964.

Jim soon relocated the Stowe-A-Way to Corban Avenue in Concord where he served friends and raised his family for 47 years. Like Jim, the Stowe-A-Way became a popular and beloved part of the Concord community. He gave generations of young people, including his children, their first start in the workforce, teaching them the values of hard work, service to others, integrity and responsibility. The Stowe-A-Way became the place where Concord gathered for club meetings, fellowship, and team supper after little league.

A lifelong member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, Jim was an irresistible force of good there from childhood until shortly before his death. He served on the Administrative Council, the Pastor Parish Committee, and as Treasurer for more than 30 years. He started and managed the church’s hot dog sale for decades and worked with its Boy Scout Troop 34 for many years.

Through Mt. Olivet UMC, Jim participated in seven mission trips to Kenya, Africa. Alongside the mission team, he helped build a school, chapel, dormitory, kitchen, and dining hall. Jim saved up for these trips to serve others instead of going on vacation.

He lived out his faith daily through humble and steady service to others. He helped establish Cabarrus Meals on Wheels, served on its Board of Directors, and delivered meals for decades with his friends in Concord Rotary Club, incredibly running his last MOW route just two months before his death. He also served as the Food Chairman for the Share Cabarrus Festival for many years.  He also worked part-time at Troutman's two months before his death.

No one exemplified the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” more than Jim Stowe. A devoted member of Concord Rotary Club, Jim was honored twice as Rotarian of the Year and recognized for 20 years of perfect attendance. He participated in a Concord Rotary trip to Peru to build playgrounds, ran the club’s fundraising fish fry for many years, and served on the Board of Directors and as Sergeant-at-Arms. Concord Rotary Club recently named its scholarship at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College the James W. Stowe Concord Rotary Club Endowed Scholarship to honor his many years of service above self to the Concord community.

Jim enjoyed bowling for many years in the Stowe-A-Way Fish House league, and loved shag dancing, especially with his daughter Natalie. But mostly in his free time, he worked at church, Rotary, Meals on Wheels and other community events, always willing to help wherever needed and never requiring recognition or reward.

Jim Stowe served a foundational role in the maturing of his hometown and the organizations and people that shape it today. When he became ill so many signed up to visit that his family had to put limits on the waiting list. He will be remembered for his humble spirit, generous heart, unyielding faith, strong hands, and lifelong service above self to his family, church and community.

Above all, Jim loved his family and friends deeply. He retired early in part to help raise his five grandchildren after their father passed away. He was a devoted grandfather and great grandfather who never missed a ball game or recital and found great joy in being present in their lives, as they did in having him always there, ready to work, support, or share a laugh.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Kathy Jean Stowe; grandson, Dylan Brice Burleson: and son-in-law, Michael Todd Burleson.

Mr. Stowe is survived by his daughter, Natalie Stowe Burleson of Concord; sister, Pansy S. Kiser of Concord; brother, Grady A. Stowe of Goldsboro ; grandchildren, Austin Blake Burleson (Elizabeth), Christian Michael Burleson (Olivia), Mary Claire Mullis (Kevin), and Jackson Walker Burleson; four great grandchildren(and one on the way); and special nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cabarrus Meals on Wheels, 342 Penny Lane NE, Concord NC 28025.