NARI Greater Charlotte Philanthropic Outreach
Jim Harkey's Spirit Lives On Through the Memorial Fund
The Jim Harkey Memorial Fund honors one of NARI of Greater Charlotte's founding members and carries forward the values that shaped his life: service, integrity, family, craftsmanship, and a genuine desire to help people.
The Story of Jim Harkey
This is the story of Jim Harkey, the owner of Renfrow Tile in Charlotte and a true friend to the Greater Charlotte Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Jim remained deeply connected to his NARI colleagues and friends until his untimely death on March 15, 1999. His memory continues through the Jim Harkey Memorial Fund.
Jim was born in a log cabin in Mecklenburg County on October 26, 1940. The youngest of three sons in a working middle-class family, he grew up in Charlotte with a love of sports, cars, boats, NASCAR racing, and the satisfaction of building or fixing things.
As a young adult, Jim fell in love with Robbie Renfrow. They married on October 14, 1961. Robbie's father, Jack Renfrow, owned Renfrow Tile, and Jim joined the family business, working alongside Robbie, who had already been part of the company since she was 14 years old.
“It gave him the opportunity to help people and make sure his customers always got the best.” Jim's view of the remodeling industry
Family, Work and a Life of Service
Jim and Robbie built a beautiful life together and raised four sons: Reid, Jackie, Rodney and Jeffrey. When the opportunity arose, Jim purchased Renfrow Tile from his father-in-law. Together with Robbie and sons Reid and Jeffrey, he carried forward the company's commitment to quality products, ethical business practices and customer satisfaction.
Friends remembered Jim as a rare person who could navigate a full and demanding life while balancing his devotion to family and friends, his business and his faith. He was kind, loving and quick to make the people around him feel good. His greatest personal pleasure was time with his family, and he was especially thrilled by the arrival of his first granddaughter.
A Legacy in Charlotte's Remodeling Industry
The archival materials reflect a family business rooted in Charlotte and the Southeast. A historical feature titled “Meet Jack and Jimmy” describes Jack Renfrow and his son-in-law Jimmy Harkey as dealers, exporters and importers of ceramic tile and marble, and notes that Jimmy joined the business in 1958.
Jim's professional legacy was never limited to products or projects. The tribute written after his death emphasized that helping people was the part of the remodeling industry he valued most. That people-first outlook remains at the heart of the Memorial Fund bearing his name.
A Founding Member. A Continuing Mission.
Jim became involved with NARI as one of the Greater Charlotte chapter's founding members in 1991 and remained passionately active for the rest of his life. In 1999, NARI of Greater Charlotte established the Jim Harkey Memorial Fund in loving memory of its friend and colleague. The Fund is part of the chapter's philanthropic outreach and supports worthy local causes in Jim's memory.
A Life Remembered
Continue Jim's Legacy
Support for the Jim Harkey Memorial Fund helps NARI of Greater Charlotte continue a tradition of giving back to the community in the spirit of a founding member who believed the best work begins with helping people.
Story adapted from a tribute by Lorrie Klemons, co-owner of Archadeck.
