Also known to long-time friends and family as "Jamie",  Jim was born to Harriett and George Renfro in Flushing, New York.  His Chatham connection comes from his mother's side of the family—the Von Shollys of Rigor Hill Road.  Jamie spent many youthful summers finding new adventures (and occasional mishaps!) exploring the corners of Columbia County with his friends and little sister, Anne.  He loved to tell the story of racing cars on the newly built Taconic Parkway before it was opened, later cautioning his grandchildren of the ease of picking up speeding tickets on it.

Jamie attended the Kent School in nearby Connecticut starting in the 8th grade.  He then graduated with a business degree from Queens College in New York City, which launched him into the world of banking, which he heartily enjoyed for more than thirty years.  But first there were stints as a medical sergeant in the Army Reserve and an epic 1963 cross country road trip to California with his buddy Phil Kurtz, where he met the love of his life, Carolyn Smedberg of Worcester, Massachusetts.

After 6 months in California, a few classes at UCLA, and a Las Vegas wedding not revealed until last year (wife Carol swore him to 58 years of secrecy), he returned to NYC to formally marry and begin his career at Banker's Trust.  Sons Jimmy (61) and Jon (59) soon followed.

In 1969 Jamie and family moved to Miami, Florida to pursue opportunities with Southeast Bank as a loan officer.  He often said the most enjoyable aspect of his job was helping as the bank's liaison to the world champion Miami Dolphins and the Orange Bowl Celebration Committee. He was often seen by the neighborhood kids and now a third son, Jay (54), smoking his ever-present cigar on the way to the stadium and work.

Now increasingly known as Jim by friends and colleagues, he moved back north in 1978, living in historic Lexington, Mass working with clients throughout the greater Boston area.  Now firmly a big city character, he surprised himself by moving back to Ghent in 2007 to help his mother, Harriett.  An unexpected blessing was reconnecting with so many friends and their families who still had ties to Chatham,  including Betsy Kneller, her son Kirk, Joey Wolfe and his daughter-in-law Wendi.  He truly enjoyed making his daily circuit, meeting new friends at post office, local banks, the Hawthorne Store, and the Great Barrington senior center.

With the passing of wife Carol in 2021, Jim is survived by his sister Anne, his three sons, and six grandchildren. For on-line condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com