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Mr. James Oscar Cuthbertson, Jr., 71 of Charlotte, transitioned on July 8, 2021 at Pineville Rehab & Living Center.  He was born on March 30, 1950 in Charlotte, NC. Affectionately known as "Jim", "Cub", and "Cup".  James was the son of the late James and Mary Cuthbertson.  James was raised in the Reid Park Community with the love of support of a strong community village.  The late Paul and Ethel Cuthbertson-Henderson enveloped James with love and care.  James was preceded by his siblings, Russell, Charles, Beverly, and Myron.  James is survived by his brothers, Ritchie and Coties and sisters, Yolanda and Anita.

James graduated from Olympic High School, Class of 1968.  James was an exemplary student and athlete.  James graduated 4th in his class and lettered in Tennis.  James attended The University of North Carolina at Charlotte from 1968-1972.  As one of twenty African American students attending the school of 1,500, James arrived on campus during a period of integration and change.  James thrived as a campus leader.  With a philosophy of diversity and inclusion, James participated in various campus activities.

He served as the Sophomore Representative, Junior Class President, Black Student Union President, Moore Hall Dorm Representative. and a writer for the school newspaper, The Carolina Journal.  James Lettered as a Tennis player and was varsity cheerleader.  James co-authored the original construction for the Black Student Union.  James was a Spring 1970 initiate of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter at Johnson C. Smith University and a charter line member of Zeta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at UNCC.  James served as a leader in the founding of the Miss UNC-Charlotte 49er Pageant (a qualifying pageant for the Miss North Carolina and Miss USA).  James continued to advise the Zeta Delta Chapter for over twenty years.  James graduated in 1972 with a B.A. in History with a minor in English.

James attended the University of North Carolina 1972-1974.  James earned a master's in journalism with a concentration in professional and technical writing.  James radiated a love of language, writing, and teaching.  James returned to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he received a teacher certificate for secondary education.  James focused on the instruction of exceptional and gifted students.

James served Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Gaston County Schools as a Reading Specialist.  The love for athletics and journalism inspired James to pursue sports radio and reporting.  James was a co-host of the WAYS Sports Talk Show, WGIV Game of the Week, and the WGIV Johnson C. Smith Radio Network.  He was awarded the District 6 Reporter of the Year for NCHSAA.  James also wrote as a columnist for the Charlotte Post where he led the formation of the Top Senior recognition of African American High School Seniors.

James' love of journalism and education was great, but his love for the sport of Tennis exceeded all other loves.  James loved tennis.  James served as a tennis instructor for Charlotte Parks and Recreation from 1979-1992.  Instructing children and adolescents across the county.  James introduced the sport of tennis to an array of children and adolescents in Charlotte. James became the Tennis Coach at Johnson C. Smith University in 1996.

James headed the men's and women's tennis programs at JCSU for 18 years.  He led the school to six straight CIAA championships.  He was name coach of the year in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003.  In 2010 The Tennis Courts at JCSU were renamed Coleman-Cuthbertson Courts in honor James' contribution to the tennis program.

James passion was to nurture young minds to exceed any limitation the world may have placed upon them.  His goal as a coach was to "make you a better you while taking no short cuts".

James set out on a mission to utilize tennis as a vessel to bring the community together and to advance the African American Community of Charlotte.  Coach Cuthbertson unequivocally accomplished this mission.  He ultimately left this world better than he found it.

James loved His family; James loved Education; James loved Tennis; James loved Children; James loved Writing; James didn't take no Mess.

We will miss him dearly, but we are grateful to God that he was here.