Bassett Family Association Database

James Albert Bass, Jr.

Male 1933 - 2025  (92 years)

Personal Information    |    PDF

  • Name James Albert Bass 
    Suffix Jr. 
    Birth 12 Mar 1933  Wilson County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    _UID 5EDE8283F3ACA1449D51B14CDF17376D4A78 
    Death 5 Sep 2025 
    Notes 

    • Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory
      James Albert Bass Jr.
      March 12, 1933 ? September 5, 2025

      James Albert Bass Jr passed away on September 5, 2025 in his home. He was born March 12, 1933 in Black Creek NC to Mary Hazel (Jeter) Bass and James Albert Bass. Raised in Wilson, he came to Raleigh in 1951 to study engineering at State College. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He served in the US Air Force for two years and as he described it, the best outcome from his time in the service was meeting the love of his life, Sondra Golden. They were married for 62 years until her death in 2019. After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University, Al and Sandy moved several times before settling back in Raleigh. He and two other young engineers joined together and formed Bass, Nixon & Kennedy, Inc Consulting Engineers in 1969. They enjoyed years of success as a result of growth across the state of NC.
      Al was honored as a Fellow of the Professional Engineers of NC. He served on the NC Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors, the NC Building Code Council, was a past master of Raleigh Lodge 500, and served on the vestry of Church of the Good Shepherd. He mentored several young engineers over his career, and even into his retirement.
      A self-described train buff, he was a founding member of the National Railway Historical Society, East Carolina Chapter (now known as New Hope Valley Railway). Another interest, which he called a fascinating waste of time, was genealogy. Pre-internet, he authored The Bass Family of Black Creek NC, which can be found in several libraries in Eastern NC. As a result of his research, he became a member of First Families of NC and Order of Descendants Ancient Planters in VA.
      Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Susan Bass (Jeanne), Lee Ann Shearon (Patrick), and granddaughters Audrey, Rachel and Natalie. He was predeceased by his son, Benji and wife, Sandy. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to his special caregiver Gloria Roberts and all the loving ladies who were so attentive to him in his final years.
      Al was laid to rest at Raleigh Memorial Park on September 10, 2025. Following the graveside, a memorial service to honor his life was held, at The Church of the Good Shepherd,125 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603. Following the service, the family received friends at his home.
      Flowers or memorial donations may be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh, NC
      Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, is serving the Bass family.



      1940 Federal Census of Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina (April 13, 1940)
      J. Albert Bass - 34 - Male - NC-NC-NC - Head - Pharmacist Drug Store
      Hazel - 37 - Female - VA-VA-VA - Wife
      Albert - 7 - Male - NC-NC-VA - Son
      (Living at 201 Westend Avenue)

      News and Observer
      Raleigh, North Carolina
      Sunday, Decemeber 23, 1956
      Miss Sondra Van Golden
      (Picture included)
      Miss Sondra Van Golden is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Golden of Tampa, Florida, who announce her engagement to James Albert Bass Jr., 308 Horne Street, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bass of Wilson. The wedding will be January 26.
    Person ID I40441  1A William Bassett of Plymouth
    Last Modified 1 Oct 2025 

    Father James Albert Bass,   b. 3 Nov 1905, Wilson County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 Jul 1985, Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 79 years) 
    Mother Mary Hazel Jeter,   b. 25 Jan 1903, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 May 1975, Wilson County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 72 years) 
    Family ID F14262  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sondra Golden,   b. 12 Feb 1936, Roanoke, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 8 Feb 2019, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years) 
    Marriage 1957 
    Children 
     1. Benjamin Bass
     2. Susan Bass
     3. Lee Ann Bass
    Family ID F14503  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 4 Nov 2019