James Earl "JE" Askew was born in Franklin, VA on May 16, 1941 and passed away peacefully in Ahoskie, NC on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at the age of 84.

His childhood years were in Winton, NC and he attended Ahoskie High School, graduating in 1959. James moved to Roanoke Rapids in 1959 and spent many years there raising his family. He worked for J. P. Stevens for seventeen years and moved into auto parts sales for over twenty years where he enjoyed working with his customers and created many friendships along the way.

He played many days and nights of backyard sports with his son and his son’s friends and was well known in the neighborhood, always trying to share a bit of wisdom to the kids whether it was about sports or life in general.

James was an avid UNC basketball and NY Yankees fan since the 1950's. He enjoyed playing basketball, golf, and fishing and also played softball in the Industrial League at Ledgerwood field in the 1960’s. James loved going to the Outer Banks and always commented on how it had changed since he first went there as a child in the late 1940's. Spending time with his grandsons was an important part of his life, whether it was at the Outer Banks fishing in the summer or playing golf or board games with them. Traveling to different vacation spots and attending festivals with his wife, Viola was also very important to him. 

In his later years, James worked at Halifax Academy and after moving to Ahoskie he worked at Ridgecroft School for a number of years. He enjoyed working at the schools and always did what he could to help the teachers and students. One Ridgecroft Senior class dedicated the school yearbook to him. He was a member of Earlys Baptist Church of Ahoskie

James was predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Molly Neal Askew; his parents Paul Franklin Askew and Clyde Fowler Askew; brothers, Thomas Askew, Paul Askew, Charles Askew, Walter Askew, William Askew, Danny Askew, Lester Johnson; and step-mother Martha Thompson Askew

He is survived by his wife, Viola T. Askew of Ahoskie; son, Keith Askew (Janet) of Hillsborough, NC; grandsons, Jamison Askew and Mitchell Askew (Emie) of Wilmington, NC; sisters, Betty Rowland of Roanoke Rapids and Margaret Purkett of New Jersey; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that he loved dearly; and a loyal friend since childhood, Stanley Wall of Aulander, NC

The visitation will be at Askew Funeral and Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM and a graveside service will be at 2:00 PM in Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids, NC. conducted by Rev. Joshua Prosser.