Reverend Jimmy Metcalf

Published 9:31 am Monday, July 7, 2025

SALUDA — Rev. Jimmy Metcalf, 86, of Metcalf Valley Lane, Saluda received his reward suddenly, Friday evening, July 4, 2025, in his sleep at the log cabin he grew up in, lying next to the love of his life, Elizabeth Hatch Metcalf, who was his loving wife of almost 59 years. 

He was the 13th of 14 brothers and sisters, and the last surviving child of Fred and Emma Pace Metcalf. He was born at the old St. Luke’s Hospital on November 4, 1938, the only one of his siblings born in a hospital. One of the most cherished days of his life was when he was saved at the Old Brush Arbor Tabernacle at the age of 9 and began a life serving the Lord. He attended Saluda schools, where he was known for his singing voice and acting abilities. He was a model student with perfect attendance throughout his entire school years. He was valedictorian and class president of the class of 1957. After graduation, he proudly served in the US Navy in top-secret communications and as a disc jockey on the Armed Forces Radio. In the Navy he surrendered to preach the Gospel, preaching his first message in 1959 in Adak, Alaska where he was stationed at the time. He preached his last message on Father’s Day, just weeks before his death. 

While stationed in Japan, he taught a Bible class at Oberlin College and was part of the Yokohama Radio Bible hour. Upon returning home, he attended Bob Jones University and served as youth pastor at Fork Creek Baptist, his home church, and later graduated from Nyack Missionary College, hoping to return to Japan as a missionary. At Nyack, he was a founding member of the Brooklyn Gospel Team Ministry in Brooklyn, NY, preaching the Word on the streets of Brooklyn. He was then sent to serve in New England as a pastor for 56 consecutive years serving 6 churches in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont, ministering and touching countless lives. He also taught Bible courses at Holyoke Community College and authored and published a book on the Book of Ezekiel. He was a well-loved pastor, Bible teacher, and Gospel singer/songwriter. He also had radio broadcasts on several radio stations in North Carolina and Massachusetts. He enjoyed cooking, farming, bargain shopping, and celebrating Christmas. He loved taking his grandkids hiking and teaching them all about the different trees and giving them popsicles. Moving back to North Carolina, he served at his childhood church Fork Creek Baptist as a Bible study teacher, assistant pastor, and assistant song leader. 

He is survived by a family legacy including his wife Elizabeth, 5 sons and 5 daughters: Elizabeth Kantner (Michael) of Mountain Home, NC; James Metcalf of Saluda, NC; Joanna Metcalf Meissner of Russell, MA; Dianna Elliott (Scott) of Hendersonville, NC; Jonathan Metcalf (Judith) of Saluda, NC and Tarpon Springs, FL; Julie Roberts (Donnie) of Green Cove Springs, FL; Christian Metcalf (Jen) of Greensboro, NC; Jason Metcalf (Erin) of Chesnee, SC; Alicia Taylor (Mike) of Campobello, SC; Justin Metcalf (Dodie) of Chesnee, SC. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, with 2 on the way, many nieces and nephews, 5 sisters-in-law, and 2 brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be held at McFarland Funeral Chapel in Tryon, NC on Tuesday, July 8th from 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at Fork Creek Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 9th at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Jason Metcalf and Mr. James Metcalf officiating. 

Reverend Metcalf will lie in state Wednesday at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Burial will follow at Fork Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. 

Military honors will be conducted by the Polk County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard.

At other times, the family will be at the old home place in Metcalf Valley.  

Memorials can be made to Fork Creek Baptist Church, Saluda, North Carolina. 

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon, North Carolina