Dr. James Boyer Ebert, Sr., age 96, of Lumberton, NC, died on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at the Wesley Pines Retirement Community in Lumberton, NC.

Dr. Ebert was born on July 1, 1924, in Ashland, New Jersey. He was the son of Alan Cuthbert Ebert, Sr. and Elizabeth Rice Clemens Ebert. He graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from Louisiana State University. Dr. Ebert practiced forestry in Virginia and North Carolina for seven years and later received an MA degree in Botany from Duke University. He held membership in the following professional fraternities: Xi Sigma Pi, Alpha Zeta, Kappa Delta Pi, and Phi Delta Kappa. During his 47-year tenure as professor of biological science at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), he received the Doctor of Science Degree (honorary) from that institution. The award citation stated "By honoring you, we honor our institution and all of our faculty and staff. You have served your university, your country, and humanity well."

Dr. Ebert served as Dean of Student Affairs and Assistant to the President from 1962-1966 and as a biological science professor from 1956-2003. He was a member of nearly every standing faculty committee as well as the faculty senate. Among his campus honors was Pembroke State University (PSU) Indianhead Dedication in 1962. At the invitation of then Governor Terry Sanford, he created the College Foundation, the precursor of today's UNCP Foundation, and wrote and received Pembroke State College's first federally funded grant. Dr. Ebert was recognized by the Presidents and Deans of American Colleges and Universities in 1964-1965, named Outstanding Educator of America in 1974, nominated for Distinguished Professor Award in 1985, 1988, and 1989, elected Professor Emeritus in 1990, served as Charter Chairman of the PSU/UNCP Retirement Club for 13 years and, for a number of years, served as a member of the UNCP Chancellor's Club Executive Advisory Board.

Dr. Ebert is the author of Laboratory Studies in Biology that was adopted for biology education classes in the Biology Department for many years. The high quality of the materials provided in the manual gave UNCP students an invaluable hands-on learning experience. Dr. Ebert served under five University Chancellors and sponsored the James Boyer Ebert and Eleanor Lewis Ebert Biology Scholarship at UNCP.

Dr. Ebert held membership in the St. Andrews Society of North Carolina, life Member and Council member of the Society of Colonel Wars, member of the North Carolina Society of the Sons of the American Revolution  for 68 years with membership emeritus status, life member of the Sons of the Revolution having served as President of the North Carolina Society and as Vice President General of the General Society representing five southeastern states (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida). The General Society honored Dr. Ebert with the Patrick Henry Award, the Society's highest honor for service. He served as Scholarship Chairman for the North Carolina Society of the Sons of the Revolution for 11 years and as historian. Dr. Ebert was also a member of the Sons of the Revolution European Society and the Welcome Society of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ebert was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Lumberton, NC, having served as a Vestry member, Sunday school teacher, 52-year member of the Trinity choir, and Past President of the Men's Club. At the conclusion of his 20 years of service as a member of the Friends of the Robeson County Public Library, he was elected Director Emeritus. During his service in the Lumberton Rotary Club, he was chaplain, and became a Paul Harris Fellow. After establishing residence at Wesley Pines Retirement Community, Dr. Ebert served as President of the Resident Council for eight years.

Dr. Ebert was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Alan Cuthbert Ebert, Jr.

Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Eleanor Louise Lewis Ebert; his daughter, Nancy Lewis Ebert Gray and husband, Verne Allen Gray of Issaquah, WA; and his son, James Boyer Ebert, Jr., MD, and his wife, Maria Padin Ebert, MD, of Grantham, NH;  grandchildren, Rachel Black, MD and husband, Collin Black of Charleston, SC; and a grandchild, Vivian Black of Charleston, SC.

Arrangements will be handled by Floyd Mortuary and Crematory, Inc. in Lumberton.

Secondary to the pandemic, a private memorial service for the family will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church. Masking will be required.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

• Trinity Episcopal Church, 1202 N. Chestnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358,
• UNC-Pembroke, Attn: Biology Dept., PO Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372,

or

• North Carolina Society of the Sons of the Revolution, c/o President Rev. Dr. Augustus Succop III, 13207 Caite Ridge Road, Davidson, NC  28036