Dr. James Yopp

Dr. James D. Yopp, Jr., 80, began life in Wilmington, NC, on November 25, 1938. From modest beginnings, the son of James D. Yopp, Sr. and Emma Lee Martin, he was known as “Little Jimmie Yopp” on local radio broadcasts in the 1940’s in Wilmington, NC. He graduated from New Hanover High School in 1956, and served in the Naval Reserves in the 1950’s. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill transferring to North Carolina State University to study Chemical Engineering graduating in 1960. He married Johanna Futchs on December 26, 1959. His desire to help people prompted him to enroll in the Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1962 graduating in 1966. He did his residency in Internal Medicine and his Fellowship in Cardiology at Bowman Gray. He was passionate about the “art of practicing medicine” and enjoyed teaching and sharing his love of medicine with others. He had a private practice for over 30 years treating generations of families. Dr. Yopp loved his patients and delighted with all the many gifts of arts and crafts, baked goods and fresh produce, especially those homegrown tomatoes! He became a Fellow in the American College of Cardiology in 1978.  Dr. Yopp valued the importance of education and established scholarships and educational programs at several universities within North Carolina. In 1985, Dr. and Mrs. Yopp established the first Women’s Basketball Scholarship at the University of North Carolina. He was an avid Tar Heel fan and enjoyed watching basketball with his family. He loved spending his free time at Wrightsville Beach. Dr. Yopp was honored for his work in advancing medical education by carrying the Olympic Torch for the 2002 Olympic Games.  He will long be remembered as a caring physician, an avid supporter of education, and a loving husband, father and Poppy. He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his loving wife, Johanna Yopp; three daughters, Beverly Miyazaki (husband Doug) of Winston-Salem; Lynn Yopp of Winston-Salem, and Sara Katherine Yopp of Wilmington; one son, Jay Yopp (wife Tina) of Clemmons; five grandchildren, Noah Miyazaki, Whitney Miyazaki, and Ryan Miyazaki, Caroline Yopp, and Samantha Yopp; one sister, Carolyn Barton of Wilmington, and one brother, George Yopp (wife Nancy) of Rocky Point. Memorials may be made to the Winston Salem Foundation, 751 W 4th St. Suite 200, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.