Dr. James Richard Boatright

Our beloved Dr. James Richard Boatright, 81, passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on Nov. 25th, 2022 in Hilton Head, SC. He was born on February 20, 1941 in Cushing, OK to his parents, Agnes Copple Boatright and Richard McLaury Boatright. He spent his youth in Houston, Colorado City and Midland, TX, where he graduated from Midland High School. He then attended the University of Texas, Austin to study Chemistry after being awarded a scholarship from the Dow Chemical Corporation. There, he was a proud member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Afterwards, he attended the Medical School of Washington University in St. Louis, graduating in 1966. After completing his residency at Duke University Medical Center he served two years as a Naval Doctor in Charleston, SC. In 1974 he moved his young family to Charlotte, NC to launch his career as an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon, joining The Miller Orthopedic Clinic.

Years later, he would go on to become the president of The Miller Clinic (now OrthoCarolina), president of the Duke Hand Club, and the Chief of Hand Service at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He was an active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and contributed many articles over the years to the Journal of Hand Surgery and other publications. Always striving to do more for his patients, he and a colleague invented a thumb strength measurement device, for which he held a patent. He also was involved in shockwave therapy research. He truly loved his career and frequently advised his children, "do what you love and it will never feel like work". With his brilliant mind, steady hand and kind heart, he was able to achieve his dream of becoming one of the most respected hand surgeons in the country upon his retirement from OrthoCarolina in 2012.

Dr. Boatright, nicknamed "Bones" by his colleagues, was humble, hard-working, charismatic and full of quiet energy. He was a perfectionistic "do-it-yourselfer" to the core, firmly believing, "If you're going to take the time to do something, do it right the first time". He eagerly learned bricklaying so that he could personally construct a gazebo and brick privacy wall on his historic property. When it was time to caulk and paint the numerous Tudor style windows, he was excited to tackle the job himself. He delighted in spending time outdoors working in the yard, cultivating and nurturing beautiful landscapes wherever he lived.

His hobbies changed throughout the seasons of his life and included tennis, running, sailing, gardening, cooking, horseback riding, playing the clarinet and strumming the banjo. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling all over the world and made friends wherever he went. Upon his retirement, he and his wife moved to the mountains of North Carolina where they loved caring for their animals and property, “Big Sky Ranch”. If you were lucky enough to witness him relaxing, then you would surely find him enjoying his favorite stove-popped popcorn, a beloved pet dog (or two) snuggled in his lap, listening to his favorite music and whistling along. He lived a full life and will be missed dearly by all who loved him.

Dr. Boatright was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Richard M. Boatright. He is survived by his wife, Annette Boatright of Okatie, SC, his sister, Carol Jean George of Gross Pointe, MI, his three daughters, Jennifer McKinney (William McKinney) of Dallas, TX, Gillian Boatright (Sam Kleitches) of Charlotte, NC, and Alison Bass (Paul Bass) of Charlotte, NC, his stepdaughter Joanne Jemsek of Mount Pleasant, SC, his stepson John Jemsek of Jacksonville, FL, and granddaughters Rylen Marie Bass, Addison Patricia Bass, Callan Reede Bass and grandson Nathaniel August McKinney.

A service and burial in Dr. Boatright’s honor will be held at Six Oaks Cemetery in Hilton Head, SC, on Monday, Dec. 5^th at 12 PM. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association: http://act.alz.org/goto/jamesboatright

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