Oxendine, Jesse E., 1926-2017

Graduated from Pembroke High School in 1944 and entered the Army shortly after serving with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Following WWII, he graduated from Pembroke State College and the the Medical College of South Carolina Pharmacy School. Married Mary Jewell Harmon September 12, 1954 in the Diamond Hill Baptist Church in Statesville, NC.
Owner of King Drug on Eastway Drive in Charlotte.Jesse Edward Oxendine, 90, of Charlotte, NC, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on February 10, 2017. Jesse was born in Pembroke, NC, on July 20, 1926, the sixth of seven children born to Dorcas and James C. Oxendine. He was preceded in death by siblings Mabel Oxendine, James Howard Oxendine, Simeon Oxendine, Ruth Oxendine Renkiewicz, and William Earl Oxendine. His surviving sibling is Harry Oxendine of Pembroke, NC. Jesse was pre-deceased by his wife of 59 years and the love of his life, Jewel Harmon Oxendine. Daughters Pamela Oxendine and Michelle Oxendine Banks also preceded him in death. His surviving children are Jenny Oxendine D’Entremont and her husband Brian, and Mark Edward Oxendine and his wife Karen of Charlotte, NC. His proudest achievements were his four grandchildren Riley Harmon Oxendine, Rachel Anne Oxendine, Coleton Russell Banks, and Carson Jesse Banks. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Jesse enjoyed an idyllic childhood with his brothers and sisters in Pembroke, NC. A proud Native American trailblazer, he cherished his Lumbee heritage. His earliest achievement was earning the rank of an Eagle Scout at age 16. He graduated from Pembroke High School in 1944 and was drafted into the military in the same year. Jesse served his country with distinction in World War II with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. He was proud to be apart of the division that liberated Wobbelin concentration camp near Ludwigslust, Germany on May 2nd, 1945. Witnessing the horror of World War II and the Holocaust, he committed his life to educating younger generations about his experiences. He spoke often of meeting Elie Wiesel and thoroughly enjoyed each speaking engagement at local schools, synagogues and churches. After the war, he graduated from Pembroke State College where he was the quarterback of their first football team. From there he went on to the Medical College of South Carolina Pharmacy School and became the first licensed Native American pharmacist in North Carolina. He founded, owned, and operated King Drugs in Charlotte for over 40 years. Jesse remained active in his retirement by organizing annual reunions for the 82nd Airborne, by serving on the Board of Trustees at Pembroke State University, and serving faithfully as a charter member of Providence Baptist Church. He generously established an Endowment Scholarship for pharmacy students at the University at UNC-Pembroke. He served others by volunteering as a pharmacist for the Men’s Homeless Shelter of Charlotte. Finally, in the last years of his life, with the help of his dear friend Kim Fox, he successfully wrote and published a love story to his hometown called “Memories of Pembroke, NC” He dedicated his life to faith, family, and to service of his country and community. Jesse Oxendine leaves many legacies in North Carolina. One of his most heroic achievements was as a faithful and dedicated caregiver for his wife over the many years of her journey struggling with Alzheimer’s. He was instrumental in the reestablishment of the football program at UNC-Pembroke. He donated treasured artifacts from his service in World War II to the Native American Resource Center in Pembroke. The preservation of history was paramount to Jesse. In his words, “I have written my story so my children and grandchildren can read about that little boy who grew up in Pembroke, North Carolina, and who turned out to be their father and grandfather.” Visitation will be held on Monday, February 13th from 6:30-8:30pm at McEwen Funeral Service, Charlotte Chapel located at 5716 Monroe Road in Charlotte.

Jesse Edward Oxendine (1926-2017) was born and raised in Pembroke, N.C. As a youth, Oxendine was active in scouting. He graduated from Pembroke High School in 1944 and was drafted into the military the same year. A member of the 82nd Airborne Division, 325th Glider Infantry, he helped to liberate the Wobbelin concentration camp near Ludwigslust, Germany on 2 May 1945. Following the war, Oxendine graduated from Pembroke State College where he was the quarterback of their first football team. He next attended the Medical College of South Carolina Pharmacy School and became the first licensed Native American pharmacist in North Carolina. He founded, owned, and operated King Drugs in Charlotte for over 40 years. In retirement, Oxendine organized reunions for the 82nd Airborne, served on the Board of Trustees at Pembroke State University, and spoke to school, synagogue, and church groups about his wartime experience and Wobbelin. His interest in the preservation and study of history extended to his Lumbee heritage. He donated treasured artifacts from his service in World War II to the Native American Resource Center in Pembroke and he wrote a memoir titled Memories of Pembroke, N.C. (2016).

Oxendine was married to Jewel Harmon Oxendine and had four children: Pamela Oxendine, Michelle Oxendine Banks, Jenny Oxendine D'Entremont, and Mark Edward Oxendine.